Full closure for months! So Deutsche Bahn broke off the connection

Full closure for months! So Deutsche Bahn broke off the connection

On September 24, 2025, Deutsche Bahn gave the starting signal for comprehensive construction work that will affect several federal states. Due to the extensive renovation measures, the Anhalter Bahn between Berlin Südkreuz and Bitterfeld is completely closed until December 13, 2025. Travelers must prepare for significant restrictions on long-distance and regional transport. Loud Moz.de Passengers on long-distance transport must expect longer journey times of 45 to 60 minutes. Another annoyance is the lack of stops in Berlin-Südkreuz and Lutherstadt Wittenberg.

The restrictions on the Anhalter Bahn also affect the popular direct connections between Frankfurt am Main and Berlin via Erfurt. While alternative connections via Kassel remain available, the diversion for long-distance trains in Berlin via the Ostkreuz is an additional obstacle for many commuters. Local transport in particular is also suffering, as several regional lines in Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt have to be replaced by buses, including the popular RE3, RE4 and RE8, as well as RB24, RB32 and RB33. The S-Bahn lines S2 and S8 between Bitterfeld and Lutherstadt Wittenberg are also affected.

Background to the lockdown

The background story of the current construction work goes back a long way. The Anhalter Railway has a long tradition that dates back to the 1840s, when the Berlin-Anhalt Railway Company opened the route from Berlin to Köthen MDR.de. The meaning of this connection has changed over the years. The route in the south of Berlin was the most important connection between Berlin and southern Germany until the Second World War, before it was damaged in the chaos of the war and never fully restored.

Deutsche Bahn itself has also grappled with these challenges. As part of a comprehensive renovation program that is scheduled to be completed by 2027, the infrastructure, railway operations and economic efficiency are to be significantly improved. The plans show that the focus is on a general renovation of 1,500 kilometers of route. Among other things, 200 old signal boxes are to be replaced and the number of slow driving points reduced German railway.

What can travelers expect?

From October 24th, the Dresdner Bahn will be connected to the Anhalter Bahn, which could bring some relief. After construction work is completed in December, the route will be classified as construction-free for the next three years. This means that travelers can count on reliable infrastructure on future journeys. Deutsche Bahn plans to increase punctuality in long-distance transport to 75 to 80 percent within three years and, as a result, to sustainably promote the use of routes through an improved customer experience.

For commuters and travelers, this means that they have to prepare for a transitional period with restrictive timetable changes and limited connections. But the long-term perspective ultimately promises improvements once all the work has been completed.