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Construction work in Cologne: Massive restrictions on S-Bahn and regional trains!
Deutsche Bahn is renewing the bridge over the Innere Kanalstrasse in Cologne, which will have an impact on the S-Bahn and regional trains from July 18, 2025.
Construction work in Cologne: Massive restrictions on S-Bahn and regional trains!
Deutsche Bahn AG is facing a large construction site in Cologne: the renovation of a bridge over the “Innere Kanalstrasse” is in full swing. How report-k.de reported, S-Bahn and regional rail traffic will be affected by the construction work until the end of August 2025. This brings some changes for commuters and travelers.
Work will begin on Friday, July 18th at 9 p.m. and will continue until Friday, August 29th at 8 a.m. In this phase, a new bridge will be raised next to the old one and some preparations will be made in advance. Interestingly, the existing bridge was built in 1915, which makes its replacement all the more urgent. The total costs for this construction project amount to an impressive 13.5 million euros and are part of Deutsche Bahn's “S3” renovation program. deutschebahn.com highlights that maintenance work on overhead lines and signaling systems will also be carried out during the construction period.
Schedule changes and restrictions
During this time, all public transport users should prepare for timetable changes. Those affected include the S-Bahn lines S 6, S 11, S 12, S 19 and the regional train line RB 25. The first construction phase is already causing partial failures in the nights from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. In addition, a replacement bus service will be set up between Cologne Frankfurter Str. and Porz-Wahn. The second main phase from August 8th to 29th will bring with it even more extensive changes, including cancellations of the S 6 between Cologne-Mülheim and Cologne-Worringen. It will be rerouted for some stops such as Cologne Hansaring and Cologne-Nippes, which poses additional challenges for daily commuters.
The road will be completely closed during certain periods, particularly August 8-11 and August 15-18. The footpaths and cycle paths cannot be used during this period. It will be interesting to see how residents and travelers adapt to these changes.
Background and significance of bridge renewal
Bridges in Germany are increasingly in focus, with more than 1,100 railway bridges in urgent need of replacement, accounting for 4.4% of the entire rail network, according to an analysis by allianz-pro-schiene.de shows. The average age of bridges in the federal rail network is around 57 years. The need to replace outdated designs with more modern and safer alternatives is therefore essential. The renewal of the bridge over Inner Kanalstrasse fits into Deutsche Bahn's broader strategy to sustainably improve its infrastructure.
The construction measures are not only important locally, but are also part of a large renovation program, which faces challenges due to lengthy approval procedures and an acute shortage of skilled workers in Germany. Even if the construction noise is a burden for residents, the renewal of the bridge is a step in the right direction to ensure safety and comfort for all users.
The anticipation of the new bridge in the heart of Cologne may be somewhat dampened by the persistence of this construction work, but in a year we will enjoy the benefits of this investment in our transport infrastructure.