Deutsche Bahn (DB) has announced the upcoming start of works on the new double-track freight line between Nuremberg and Eltersdorf. The first phase of construction is scheduled to begin in 2026 with the building of a new railway bridge near Steinach. Preparatory activities and tender processes for the main works are currently underway.
The project has secured building permits for two out of its three sections, including the segment required for the tunnel construction. Approval for the northern section, located beyond the tunnel portal, remains under review.
The new freight line forms part of the Nuremberg—Bamberg railway corridor (VDE 8.1). It aims to divert freight traffic away from one of Bavaria’s busiest passenger rail routes between Fürth and Nuremberg. The existing line, which serves both local and long-distance passenger services, connects to the Munich—Berlin high-speed route.
The planned 15 km double-track freight line will run parallel to the existing railway and motorway. It will include 28 km of additional track and require modification or reconstruction of ten bridges. A digital interlocking system will also be installed to control operations on the route. The core infrastructure of the project is a 7.5 km tunnel, known as the Fürth Freight Train Tunnel, passing underneath Nuremberg, Fürth, and the Pegnitz River.
Preparations have also included switching the existing lines to two-way operations to maintain train traffic during the construction period. According to DB, this is intended to reduce disruption to passenger services.
The next step in the timeline sees detailed planning and tender documentation being finalised. The bridge construction at Fürth-Steinach, located along the A73 motorway, is scheduled to begin at the end of 2026. The start of tunnel boring works is projected for 2028, with a purpose-built tunnel boring machine to be used.
The project includes the implementation of modern noise protection systems and is designed to minimise the environmental and local traffic impacts during the construction process. DB aims to complete the line by the middle of the 2030s.
Source: https://railmarket.com/
