Leipzig (dpa / sn) - Deutsche Bahn wants to reduce the travel time for the 117-kilometer route between Dresden and Leipzig to significantly less than an hour. By the end of 2026, the section between Zeithain and Leckwitz is to be expanded for a speed of up to 200 kilometers per hour, DB announced on Monday. Until then, travelers sometimes have to accept restrictions due to upcoming work. From August 29th to September 8th, diversions and replacement traffic will apply.
With the insertion of a new bridge near Weißig, the work would reach a "further milestone", it said. "Until now, we have been able to do a lot of work while the wheels were rolling, i.e. while the train was running. However, a closure is now necessary for the insertion of the bridge, which weighs more than 1,200 tons," explained DB project manager Lars Enzmann. The bridge was erected about 23 meters from its final location and will now be brought into its final position with the help of hydraulic jacks. The whole process takes almost 24 hours. Then there is still work on the railway embankment as well as on the track and on the overhead line.
ICE trains between Leipzig and Dresden will be canceled during this period, IC trains between Riesa and Dresden will be diverted. This increases the travel time.
