Deutsche Bahn expands Emmerich–Oberhausen line to three tracks

The ABS 46/2 Emmerich–Oberhausen line is a roughly 73 km core section of the Rotterdam–Genoa rail freight corridor and comprises continuous three-track expansion (four tracks at the Oberhausen node), conversion to unified AC traction power, ETCS signalling, and a new double-track connecting curve Oberhausen-Sterkrade–Grafenbusch. By mid-2026, about 52 km of track had been renewed, 45 bridges replaced, and 12 km of noise barriers built; the 80-week main construction phase finished on schedule on 17 May 2026, and the Dinslaken–Voerde section has been three-track capable since. The project site has not published an official completion date for the full three-track expansion; per the source list, end of 2029 is the target horizon. Update (21 Apr 2026): The Federal Railway Authority has issued the planning approval decision for the roughly 4.5 km Emmerich-Praest section (PFA 3.3) and displayed the documents from 22 April to 6 May 2026; it provides for a third track and about 8 km of noise barriers. According to a report of 14 April 2026, a one-week closure follows in November 2026 (including the Weierstraße bridge girder in Oberhausen) and from 2027 work continues without closures, including the new Voerde-Friedrichsfeld halt (LOK Report, 21 Apr 2026).