Deutsche Bahn proposes Germany’s longest rail tunnel

The tunnel, which will the Germany’s longest railway tunnel, will be built through the Ore Mountains between Heidenau and the Czech transport hub Ústí nad Labem.

After 30 months of community engagement and exploring partial and full tunnel options, Deutsche Bahn (DB) decided the latter was “the best solution for the environment as well as in terms of traffic, technology and economy”.

The new route will ease pressure on the existing line in the Elbe Valley and provide a flood-safe alternative.

In addition to the tunnel, the project will include 46km of new tracks, around 90 new switches, modern control and safety technology and new parking options for trains.

“The cross-border connection between Dresden and Prague is of great importance for the whole of Europe,” said Martin Dulig, minister for economic affairs, labour and transport of the Free State of Saxony. “It helps to eliminate existing capacity restrictions in freight transport, strengthen trade and transport routes in Europe and enable future-oriented travel. Accelerating the project is also desirable in view of EU funding. The route therefore needs absolute priority, and it is given this in both countries.”

Following further community engagement, the preferred option will be submitted to the German Bundestag mid-2024. The government is expected to decide on the implementation and financing by the end of the current legislative period.