Munich-Rosenheim railway line faces split renovations amid freight operator backlash

Deutsche Bahn has revised its renovation plans for the Munich-Rosenheim railway line, one of Bavaria’s busiest routes. Instead of a single six-month closure, the work will now take place in two separate phases in 2028 and 2031. The decision follows criticism from freight operators over the original proposal.

The first phase of construction will begin in mid-February 2028 and last until mid-April. During this eight-week period, long-distance tracks will be fully closed, forcing trains to reroute. Regional services will be replaced by buses to maintain connections.

Preparatory work will start earlier, in autumn 2027, with partial closures affecting the S-Bahn line. Further restrictions and shutdowns are planned for early 2028 before the main phase begins. The second phase is set for the first half of 2031. This stage will include modernising tracks, switches, overhead lines, bridges, and stations. The European Train Control System (ETCS) will also be installed during this period. The Freight Rail Association has criticised the revised plan, arguing that the total shutdown time still exceeds the originally proposed 22-week closure. Peter Westenberger, the association’s managing director, claimed that no consultation took place with freight operators. He called for single-track construction sites and upgrades to alternative routes to avoid full closures.

The Munich-Rosenheim route remains a critical link for both passenger and freight services in Bavaria. The split-phase approach aims to reduce disruption, though concerns persist over the extended timeline. Deutsche Bahn will now proceed with preparatory work ahead of the 2028 shutdown.