New Railway Line Dresden – Prague: Erzgebirgstunnel

Project objectives

Preliminary planning of the Erzgebirge tunnel with the aim of preparing route designs and a preferred variant, which is part of a German-Czech state treaty.

Project description

The Berlin–Dresden–Prague connection is a key link in cross-border rail traffic, essential for Germany, Free State of Saxony, the Czech Republic, and the southeastern neighbouring countries. An extension and acceleration of the existing railway connection through the Elbe Valley is not feasible due to ecological and topographical constraints. Therefore, Germany and the Czech Republic have set a joint strategic goal to manage the increasing traffic in this rail corridor. The plan includes a new double-track, electrified high-speed line between Heidenau and Ústí nad Labem, incorporating several tunnels and bridges. Its central element is the Erzgebirge Tunnel being developed in cooperation with the Czech railway infrastructure company Správa Železnic.

Project data

• Erzgebirgstunnel: Germany’s longest railway tunnel
• Line length approx. 32.5 km, incl. approx. 30 km tunnel
• 2 single-track tunnel tubes
• Overlap up to 600 m

Services

• Basic evaluation and preliminary planning