Germany's rail upgrades stall as billions vanish into planning limbo

Germany's plans to upgrade rail links in former coal regions are facing major airport delays. Out of 29 promised projects, only one has been finished so far. Billions in funding are being spent, but most work remains stuck in early planning stages.

The federal government allocated funds to improve transport in areas once reliant on coal. A total of 29 rail projects were announced, but progress has stalled. Just one—Bitterfeld train station—has been completed.

Two key upgrades, the Aachen–Cologne route and the Berlin–Cottbus–Görlitz line, received €948 million and €1.64 billion respectively. Yet neither has a confirmed finish date. The remaining 28 projects are still in preliminary planning, with none moving beyond initial designs.

The only project with a clear timeline is the dual-track expansion between Lübbenau and Cottbus. This section is now expected to open by December 2027. Meanwhile, every day of delay pushes costs higher, diverting funds meant for upgrades into covering rising construction expenses.

With just one project finished and most still on paper, the rail upgrades remain far behind schedule. The delays mean billions are being spent on inflation rather than new infrastructure. Officials have yet to announce when the remaining work will begin or end.