Transformation into a high-performance network

The rail network is the foundation of reliable rail operations. The focus is on stabilizing the infrastructure in a sustainable manner and significantly improving operational quality. The goal is a secure, reliable and digitally connected network that enables smooth operations. To this end, measures to stabilize the condition of the network are being implemented in particular. A major contribution to this is made by corridor and hub modernizations, which are specifically designed to improve the performance capability of highly utilized lines and hubs.

Corridor modernizations

During corridor modernizations, which involve a total closure lasting several months, outdated and failure-prone facilities are comprehensively replaced, infrastructure performance capability is improved and stations are holistically upgraded. The goal is to prevent the need for construction work on the modernized section for several years and to make the positive impact in terms of operations and customers clearly visible all at once.

• The Emmerich — Oberhausen corridor modernization took place from February 15 to December 14, 2025, during the 80-week closure of the core measure expansion line (ABS) 46 / 2. Following the corridor modernization, the Brinkstraße rail overpass at the end of ABS 46 / 2 was commissioned on May 17, 2026. On the 73 km section from Emmerich-Elten to Oberhausen-Sterkrade, the corridor modernization project included the replacement of 30 km of track, four switches and 26 m² of bridges, as well as improvements at the Praest and Wesel-Feldmark stations. The additional construction work at the remaining 13 stations along the line forms part of the ABS 46 / 2 core measure.
• The Hamburg―Berlin corridor modernization was carried out from August 1, 2025 to June 14, 2026.
• The Hagen—Wuppertal—Köln corridor modernization took place from February 6, 2026, to the beginning of July 2026.
• The Nürnberg―Regensburg corridor modernization began on February 6, 2026.
• The Obertraubling―Passau corridor modernization began on June 14, 2026.

High-performance maintenance

In addition to corridor modernizations, high-performance maintenance is focused on the long-term stabilization of the high-performance network without interruption to operations. To this end, DB InfraGO is systematically enhancing its maintenance with a view to sustainably improving the reliability and availability of the infrastructure. The measures are focused on the action areas of sustainable prevention, digital maintenance and rapid fault clearance. Additional funding of about € 2 billion is available for implementation from 2024 to 2033. In the first half of 2026, the focus was on implementing the following measures:

• In the area of sustainable prevention, the concepts developed were implemented on the Riedbahn, which underwent a corridor modernization. Evaluations show a positive trend in infrastructure quality. For example, the number of relevant infrastructure disruptions per 1,000 train runs fell by more than 50% in the period from January to April 2026 compared with January to April 2024.
• In the area of digital maintenance, work continued on the rollout of sensor-based monitoring systems. Throughout Germany, about 1,000 interlockings – primarily on the high-performance network – are equipped with environmental sensors. The data collected helps to identify anomalies at an early stage and prevent faults proactively.
• To speed up fault clearance, measures to improve responsiveness in the event of faults were continued and expanded. The local stockpiling of common crossings in the regions was further expanded to enable the faster replacement of affected components in the event of faults and to minimize the impact on train services.

These measures will gradually enhance the maintenance of the high-performance network through preventive, digital and response-oriented approaches.