sueddeutsche.de
Deutsche Bahn closes Inn Valley railway line for construction
Deutsche Bahn will close the railway line from Rosenheim through the Inn Valley to Kufstein from August 11th to 18th for construction, impacting long-distance and regional services; the work includes upgrading overhead lines, replacing sleepers, laying new tracks, and improving signaling technology to increase capacity.
- What are the immediate impacts of the planned Deutsche Bahn line closure in the Inn Valley?
- From August 11th to 18th, Deutsche Bahn (DB) will close the railway line from Rosenheim through the Inn Valley to Kufstein for construction, eliminating long-distance connections via Innsbruck and the Brenner Pass to Italy. DB InfraGO, the responsible subsidiary, is bundling major construction work to minimize passenger disruption. This coincides with a period of lower passenger volume during school holidays.
- How does the timing of the construction work during school holidays relate to broader operational strategies of Deutsche Bahn?
- The closure affects both long-distance and regional traffic between Munich, Holzkirchen, Rosenheim, Salzburg, and Kufstein, operated by Transdev (as Bayerische Regiobahn, BRB) since 2013. BRB recently won a contract to operate the 'Rosenheimer Kreuz' until 2043. While the line is closed, BRB will provide partial bus replacement services. A complete renovation of the Munich-Rosenheim-Salzburg line is planned from 2027, necessitating a months-long closure.
- What are the long-term implications of the current construction projects on the capacity of the Inntalstrecke and the broader discussion surrounding the Brenner Base Tunnel?
- The current work focuses on upgrading overhead lines near Prien am Chiemsee, replacing 3800 sleepers between Rosenheim and Salzburg, and laying new tracks over eight kilometers. This preempts increased traffic in 2024 when the Nuremberg-Regensburg-Passau line's renovation will divert trains via Munich, Rosenheim, and Salzburg. The Inn Valley work improves signaling technology to increase line capacity, a key factor in the ongoing debate surrounding new access tracks for the Brenner Base Tunnel.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the closures primarily from the DB's perspective, highlighting their efforts to minimize disruption. The headline (if one existed) might further emphasize this point of view, potentially downplaying the negative impacts on commuters. The introductory sentences set the tone by focusing on the closures and the DB's justification.
Language Bias
The language used is mostly neutral and objective, focusing on factual reporting of the planned closures and the DB's statements. However, phrases such as "größere Arbeiten just in den Ferien stattfinden, gehört bei dem Unternehmen zum Standard" might be considered slightly loaded, as it presents the scheduling as standard practice without exploring potential alternatives.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the planned railway closures and the reasons given by the DB, but omits perspectives from affected commuters or businesses. It doesn't include details on the potential economic impact of the closures or alternative travel arrangements beyond the mentioned bus replacements. The long-term implications of the renovations and their effects on regional transport networks are only briefly mentioned.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplified view of the situation by focusing on the DB's explanation for the closures, without exploring alternative solutions or perspectives that might exist. There's no discussion of the trade-offs between the need for renovations and the disruption to travelers.
Sustainable Development Goals
The planned renovations and upgrades to railway infrastructure, including the replacement of railway ties, the laying of new tracks, and improvements to signaling technology, directly contribute to the improvement of infrastructure and transportation systems. These actions support sustainable and efficient transportation, aligning with SDG 9 targets. The project also prepares the rail network for increased capacity in anticipation of future demands, such as the increased traffic expected with the completion of the Brenner Base Tunnel.