Deutsche Bahn closes Altenburg-Zwickau rail line for months of construction
Train services between Altenburg and Zwickau will be replaced by buses from August 17 to December 12 due to extensive track and station upgrades.
Passengers traveling between Altenburg and Zwickau face significant disruptions starting August 17 as Deutsche Bahn begins major construction work at the Gößnitz and Werdau rail hubs. The line closure is scheduled to remain in effect until December 12.
The scope of the work includes upgrading tracks, switches, and overhead lines. Construction teams are also installing new overpass bridges in Ponitz and Crimmitschau and building two 750-meter passing tracks in Werdau, which will allow freight trains to bypass passenger services. These improvements are part of the broader modernization of the Sachsen-Franken-Magistrale corridor.
Completion of the project has been delayed by one year due to shortages in specialized personnel and materials, as well as unexpected ground conditions. Once finished, the upgrades are intended to facilitate train speeds of up to 160 km/h, up from the current 120 km/h limit.
Starting in December, operator Länderbahn will take over regional S-Bahn services using new Mireo trains. Officials expect these upgrades, coupled with the new rolling stock, to reduce travel time between Zwickau and Leipzig by approximately 20 minutes.