Obertraubling–Passau railway line to undergo major six-month upgrades in 2026

Major upgrades are coming to the Obertraubling–Passau railway line. The work, set to begin in June 2026, will modernise the corridor and prepare it for future digital signalling. Freight and passenger services will face changes during the six-month project. The renovation will take place in two phases between June 14 and December 12, 2026. Early preparatory tasks include laying underground cables and installing fibre-optic lines. These steps will support the later introduction of the European Train Control System (ETCS).

During construction, freight trains will be diverted via Salzburg, Rosenheim, and Munich, with some also using the Kufstein route. A single-track section between Passau and Plattling may still carry freight traffic. Local passenger services will switch to replacement buses to maintain connections. Signal boxes along the line will be upgraded or replaced with electronic systems. While ETCS installation is planned for completion by 2030, the 2026 works will focus on track and infrastructure improvements. Once finished, the line will support additional long-distance services between Munich and Vienna via Salzburg and Simbach.

The upgrades will bring electronic signalling and improved capacity to the Obertraubling–Passau route. Freight and passenger operations will adapt to temporary changes during the six-month closure. The full ETCS rollout is expected to be complete by the end of the decade.