Deutsche Bahn is sticking to its plan to upgrade the line between Berlin and Dresden to a speed of 200 km/h. The aim is to reduce the journey time from 124 to 80 minutes, said a DB spokesperson when asked. Among other things, level crossings would have to be dismantled and replaced by overpasses or underpasses. "Planning approval procedures are still underway for various sections: The expansion to 200 kilometers per hour can only begin once the building permits have been issued."
The railroad was responding to speculation that it was only planning to expand the line to 160 kilometers per hour. The Green Party in the Saxon state parliament had criticized this and spoken of a "tangible disadvantage for Dresden, Saxony and the entire region". The route is central for long-distance traffic, for the German cycle and for the European axis to Prague, explained MP Katja Meier. While the Czech Republic is planning its section for up to 320 kilometers per hour, Germany should not slow down this connection with an economy variant.
