Germany’s stalled high-speed rail project faces a make-or-break federal decision in 2025
The long-standing debate over a new high-speed rail line between Hanover and Hamburg continues. The previous plan, the Y-Route, languished for 25 years, leading to the Schiene-Nord dialogue forum and the Alpha E concept, which was delayed and never implemented. Now, a federal decision on a new route is pending, with the Federal Minister of Transport, Patrick Schnieder, at the helm in 2025.
The Y-Route, a previous plan for a news railway line, existed on paper for 25 years. It blocked other projects and was eventually abandoned. Now, a major overhaul of the existing line has been pushed back to 2029. Supporters of the new line believe the route along the A7 and B3 highways will be chosen due to its cost-benefit ratio.
This project has been controversial for over 50 years. Critics warn that the new line could suffer the same fate as the Y-Route, with Peter Dörsam's warnings echoing prophetically. The failure of the new line could be due to 'unprofessional, populist lobbying' at the federal level. Influential SPD lawmaker Lars Klingbeil is preparing to rally against the project again. The decision on the new line is expected by the end of winter or early spring at the latest.
The future of the new high-speed rail line between Hanover and Hamburg remains uncertain. The federal decision, pending since autumn, is now expected by the end of winter. With the Federal Minister of Transport, Patrick Schnieder, at the helm, the outcome could shape the region's transport infrastructure for decades to come.
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