Erfurt–Leipzig/Halle high-speed line (VDE 8.2) enters service

The approximately 123 km high-speed line between Erfurt and Leipzig/Halle (VDE 8.2) connects the German states of Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony and entered scheduled passenger and freight service at the timetable change on 13 December 2015 (opening ceremony already held on 9 December 2015 with Chancellor Merkel). The line is designed for speeds up to 300 km/h and was the first German railway fully equipped with ETCS Level 2. Investment costs totaled approximately €2.967 billion as of mid-2014.