Final S13 construction phase begins: full closures between Bonn and Troisdorf!

Final S13 construction phase begins: full closures between Bonn and Troisdorf!

From today, June 13, 2025, things will really get going on the rails between Cologne and Troisdorf. Deutsche Bahn has started the final construction phase of the S13, which is quite a challenge. The work began at 8 p.m., affecting not only the tracks, but also bridges, train stations and noise barriers. The routes between Cologne Messe/Deutz, Troisdorf and Linz am Rhein are affected. Travelers must be prepared for timetable changes, especially for the regional trains RE 8 and RB 27, which run between Mönchengladbach and Koblenz via Troisdorf and Bonn.

The final construction work will start in several phases: from June 13th to 16th, then again from June 20th to 23rd, followed by further closures until August. A full closure is planned for November 21st to 24th, 2025. During these times, buses are used to replace trains and the timetables can be viewed in Deutsche Bahn's online information systems. Particularly practical: information is also available bahn.de/service/fahrplane and zuginfo.nrw available.

Impact on rail transport

This construction work is only part of the large-scale modernization of the rail network in Germany. The ADAC notes that by 2030 around 40 important sections will be extensively renovated and some will be closed for months. The effects affect millions of passengers who have to prepare for massive disruptions. Deutsche Bahn has set itself the goal of bringing the infrastructure into shape and thus improving transport performance in passenger and freight transport in the long term. An essential step towards sustainable mobility!

The currently important major construction sites are not just limited to Cologne. From the Hamm – Hanover line to the work on the Berlin junction, numerous track work is being carried out, restricting train traffic for months. This occurs on a network of approximately 39,200 km, with Deutsche Bahn being the largest operator. Although traffic usage in the rail sector has grown steadily - by over 50 percent in passenger traffic and almost 90 percent in freight traffic since 1994 - the infrastructure is often overloaded. In fact, by 2024, over 1,169 km of railways will already be congested, compared to just 187 km in 2008.

Looking into the future

Deutsche Bahn's measures are a step in the right direction to make the rail infrastructure sustainable. By 2030, routes such as Troisdorf – Koblenz and Cologne – Bonn are to be extensively expanded. The electrification of the rail network is also being pushed forward in order to reduce environmental impact. Currently, 62 percent of the federal rail network is electrified, with the goal of reaching 75 percent by 2030.

This means that commuters and travelers will have to prepare for some inconveniences in the coming months. But with a little patience and the right planning, you can overcome this phase. All the necessary information is available on the websites of Radio Bonn, ADAC and the Pro-rail alliance ready.