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Germany to Construct Historic Rail Tunnel to the Czech Republic, Transforming European Travel

Germany to Construct Historic Rail Tunnel to the Czech Republic, Transforming European Travel
foto: DPA / Public domain/S-Bahn trains on the Dresden - Prague line
23 / 11 / 2023

Germany is set to revolutionize its rail infrastructure with the announcement of its most ambitious project yet – a 30-kilometer railroad tunnel through the Ore Mountains along the German-Czech border.

This groundbreaking project aims to significantly reduce travel times between Prague and Dresden, marking it as the country's longest tunnel to date. After extensive evaluations, Deutsche Bahn (DB) concluded that a single, extended tunnel offers the most viable solution, considering economic, environmental, and technical aspects. Set to commence construction around 2032, the tunnel will stretch from Heidenau in Germany to Ústí nad Labem in the Czech Republic.

Deutsche Bahn AG / Public domain

This major construction project is recognized as a critical European infrastructure priority, addressing the nearing capacity issues of the current railway lines through the Elbe River Valley, while also mitigating flood risks. However, the actual realization of this project will span over two decades, with an estimated 12-year construction phase.

Once operational, the tunnel promises to dramatically shorten the Prague-Dresden travel time from 2.5 hours to approximately one hour. Furthermore, it will facilitate faster journeys from Berlin or Hamburg to key Central European destinations like Vienna, Bratislava, or Budapest, as part of a broader European rail corridor extending from Germany's northern ports to Istanbul and Athens.

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