New rail line Gelnhausen–Fulda remains in early planning

The Deutsche Bahn project "Ausbau-/Neubaustrecke Hanau–Fulda" consists of the four-tracking of the existing Hanau–Gelnhausen line (already under construction) and the new-build line (NBS) Gelnhausen–Fulda through the Kinzig Valley–Kalbach area. For the NBS section, an official working group most recently (8th session, 12 May 2026) addressed noise protection and parliamentary review, per the official project site; the scheme is part of the Deutschlandtakt program and the Frankfurt RheinMain plus initiative. Exact route length and a specific investment figure are not publicly disclosed on the project site; completion is set at 2040 per the source list.