Deutsche Bahn plans to upgrade its heavily used network to a high-performance network by 2030. This includes refurbishing a total of 40 line sections, totalling more than 4,000 kilometres. Construction work and line closures will significantly impact transport throughout Europe, particularly ÖBB, which provides numerous cross-border passenger and freight services to and from Germany.
Planned route closures and their impact
The routes between Passau and Nuremberg in 2026 and between Salzburg and Rosenheim in 2027 will be particularly affected. These closures will cause significant detours for freight traffic, affecting up to 140 goods trains per day. ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG is working to mitigate the consequences of the closures for Austria's economy and passengers by coordinating them in such a way that basic transport needs can be maintained.
There will also be timetable changes and train cancellations affecting both long-distance and local passenger services. ÖBB will provide additional capacity to minimise the impact of the closures and ensure the best possible travel options.
Coordination and measures:
ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG has been in close dialogue with DB InfraGo for months to mitigate the impact of corridor closures on the timetable as much as possible. Cancelled trains will be replaced by rail replacement services or prompt alternative services on local or long-distance routes. From late summer 2025, ÖBB will inform passengers in detail about the changes to the 2026 timetable, thus preparing them in good time for new journey times or SEV bus connections. Meetings will also be held with representatives from federal and regional politics, industry, and the Chamber of Commerce to provide information on the latest planning status.
Limited capacity – working together to ensure a stable supply
Our aim is to minimise the impact on travellers and the industry. However, it will not be possible to fulfil all requests. There are physical limits to what we can do. Thanks to targeted route planning, around 80% of current capacities can be secured for freight transport. This means that, even in these challenging times, supply remains stable. While diversions and longer journey times cannot be avoided, we will work together to find solutions.
An overview of the impact of lockdowns on freight transport in Germany:
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2026
- Around 80 goods trains per day will be diverted via Salzburg
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- Relief measures for freight traffic between Wels and Salzburg due to year-round diversion within Austria
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- Limited train path capacity on diversion routes (Ennstal, Pyhrn, Schoberpass, Giselabahn, etc.)
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- A diversion can be provided for around 80% of existing freight transport capacity through additional timetable measures
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The local transport timetable concept is still being coordinated
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2027/2028
- The diversion of freight traffic to and from Trieste and Koper via the Pyhrn route and the 'old' southern route (Neumarkter Sattel)
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- Inner-German diversion of freight traffic on the Brenner axis
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- Timetable changes and train cancellations for freight train paths between Linz and Selzthal, and between St. Valentin and Steyr*
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- Limited train path capacity on the diversion routes (Ennstal, Pyhrn, Schoberpass, Giselabahn, etc.)
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- Significant route extensions for freight traffic
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- Temporal parallelism with the closure of the ÖBB Tauern route and restrictions on the A13 motorway (new Lueg Bridge construction)
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*Local transport timetable concept still being coordinated
