Germany's lengthiest railroad tunnel is set to be built in the Eastern Ore Mountains, promising to drastically decrease the journey time between Dresden and Prague. After evaluating various options, Deutsche Bahn announced on Monday that they favor constructing a single, approximately 30-kilometer-long tunnel, connecting Heidenau on the German side to Usti nad Labem on the Czech side. This full tunnel variant is not only environmentally friendly but also technically and economically advantageous.
The new project is considered a significant international rail transportation endeavor. The existing Elbe Valley route is reaching its capacity limit, and the new road aims to provide a flood-resistant alternative and decrease travel times. With this new development, passengers can anticipate travelling from Dresden to the Czech capital in approximately an hour – a significant improvement over the current two-and-a-half-hour journey.
Martin Walden, Deutsche Bahn's Group Representative for Saxony, commended that the project would connect nations and facilitate increased passenger and freight transport by rail. Saxony's Minister of Transport, Martin Dulig (SPD), emphasized the utmost importance of constructing the line. The announced route choice represents a significant milestone in the project. Dulig explained that the full tunnel variant was also popular among local residents in the region.
According to plans, twin parallel tunnel tubes will be constructed through the eastern Ore Mountains. Each tube will be single-track, catering to both passenger and freight trains. The German side's construction of the new tunnel will also entail upgrading the line between Dresden and Heidenau. Around 46 kilometers of new tracks, modern control and safety technology, and new train stabling facilities will be erected.
Construction estimated to take around twelve years
The Dresden-Prague route is part of a European rail corridor spanning from German North Sea and Baltic Sea ports to Istanbul and Athens via southern Europe. Deutsche Bahn has planned citizen dialogues in municipalities from January onwards to disseminate information about the project's planning. The preferred option is expected to be finalized in mid-2023, with documents then submitted to the Bundestag. A decision on implementation and financing is anticipated at the end of the legislative period.
However, rail travellers will have to exercise patience for at least another two decades before the inauguration of the first train passing through the tunnel. According to current forecasts, Deutsche Bahn aims to begin construction around 2032, with an approximate 12-year construction period.
Currently, Germany's longest railroad tunnel is the 10.8-kilometer Landrücken Tunnel in Hesse. The Fehmarnbelt tunnel between Schleswig-Holstein and Denmark, which is under construction, is expected to span around 18 kilometers.
The necessity of constructing Germany's longest railroad tunnel in the Ore Mountains arises due to the ongoing traffic on the existing Elbe Valley route. This construction aims to offer a flood-proof alternative and reduce travel times, particularly between Dresden and Prague. With the planned tunnel construction, the travel time could potentially decrease to only an hour, significantly lessening the current two-and-a-half-hour journey.
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