Train travelers between Leipzig and Chemnitz will face disruptions this year. This is due to the precautionary replacement of around 44,000 concrete sleepers on the line, as announced by Deutsche Bahn on Monday. From May 20 to July 10, the Chemnitz-Burgstädt section will be affected first, followed by the Burgstädt-Geithain section (August 5 to October 18).
Normally, the sleepers would only be replaced after around 40 years. The ones on this section have reportedly only reached around half of their service life. However, after the train accident in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 2022, Deutsche Bahn launched a program to inspect and replace sleepers as a precautionary measure. A regional train derailed in the accident - five people lost their lives. According to an interim report by the Federal Office for Railway Accident Investigation, damaged concrete sleepers caused the accident.
The railroad company said it replaced around 500,000 sleepers last year - around five times as many as usual. A similar amount is planned for this year. The work on the two sections would actually be due this year and next year. However, to avoid any disruptions in 2025, when many visitors are expected in Chemnitz as European Capital of Culture, the work will be concentrated this year. According to Mitteldeutsche Regiobahn, the route is used by around 9,000 passengers on average every day.
During the first stage, the trains will be replaced by buses. The RE6 and line 13 of the City-Bahn Chemnitz are affected. This will change the departure times in this area. The exact concept for the second construction phase will be announced later.
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