Deutsche Bahn electrifies line from Angermünde to the Polish border

The Berlin–Angermünde–Szczecin line is being upgraded to double track, electrified and fitted with ETCS between Angermünde and the German-Polish border, raising the top speed from the current 120 km/h to 160 km/h. The upgrade costs around EUR 480 million, funded by the federal government (EUR 380m) and the states of Berlin and Brandenburg (EUR 50m each). Planning approval for the first section, Angermünde–Passow, was granted in June 2021, with construction underway since late 2021 and from 2024 for the section to the border; commissioning of the upgraded line is planned for the end of 2027. Update (2 Jul 2026): The Federal Railway Authority's construction approval for the roughly 30 km second section between Passow and the border has been in place since October 2025, and preparatory work has been running since then. The main works begin in early July 2026, adding a second track and the first overhead wires for speeds up to 160 km/h, plus a central platform and a footbridge with lift at Passow station. Berlin–Szczecin journey time is to fall to 90 minutes; DB says the work is on schedule and commissioning remains end-2027. (LOK Report, 2 Jul 2026)