Deutsche Bahn continues modernising the Upper Elbe Valley line

Since 2014, DB InfraGO has been modernizing the Upper Elbe Valley railway line between Pirna and Schöna/the German-Czech border: renewal of about 44 km of track, 11 km of overhead line, three bridges, retaining and noise-barrier walls, and a new electronic interlocking at Bad Schandau, with an investment of more than EUR 60 million across 35 individual measures. The works were triggered by flood damage in 2002 and 2013; further construction phases are underway in 2026 (track renewal Pirna–Schöna, main closure 18 March–17 May 2026, followed by a permanent single-track section Schmilka–Bad Schandau Ost, with works scheduled at least through December 2026). The project list cites end of 2028 as the target horizon for completing the modernization. Update (10 Dec 2025): DB completed the works that began in 2022 between Bad Schandau Ost and the Czech border on 10 December 2025 and reopened the line. New elements include four passing loops for trains up to 740 m, the Bad Schandau Ost electronic interlocking, renewed overhead lines, noise barriers and a system separation point to the Czech power grid. Further upgrading, above all at the Hirschmühlen Viaduct with a new track trough, continues in 2026 and 2027 and is to finish by January 2028. (LOK Report, 10 Dec 2025)