Major Bridge Closure Affects Hanau’s Main Train Station
Abbreviated Summary
The remaining portion of the dilapidated bridge over Hanau’s main train station will be demolished, leading to significant disruptions in rail traffic from February 14th to 28th. Travelers are advised to check updated travel options and make alternative arrangements.
Detailed Closure Timeline and Impacts
- February 14th (10:00 PM) to February 28th (4:00 AM): The southern portion of the main train station will be closed, affecting various train lines.
- February 14th (8:00 PM): Trains on lines RE 50 and RB 51 will face cancellations and delays between Fulda and Frankfurt. Buses will provide substitute transportation between Fulda and Hanau.
- February 15th (8:00 PM) to February 16th (5:00 AM): Lines RE 5, RE 50, and RB 51 will experience cancellations and delays between Fulda and Frankfurt. Buses will offer substitute service between Schlüchtern/Wächtersbach and Hanau.
- February 21st to 24th (8:00 PM to 4:00 AM): Not all trains between Hanau and Fulda/Bebra will operate as scheduled. Buses will provide substitute transportation.
- February 25th (7:30 PM) to February 26th (early morning): Only limited train service will be available between Frankfurt and Fulda/Bebra. Buses will serve as an alternative.
- February 26th (8:00 PM) to February 27th (early morning): Trains will not stop at Offenbach main station. Passengers to and from Offenbach are advised to use the S-Bahn.
- Long-Distance Train Impacts: Trains traveling between Aschaffenburg and Frankfurt will be diverted, resulting in cancellations, detours, and extended travel times.
- ICE LineImpacts:
- Berlin-Göttingen-Frankfurt Airport line: Trains will begin and end in Fulda, skipping Frankfurt Süd and Frankfurt Airport.
- Düsseldorf-Frankfurt-Nuremberg-Munich line: Sprinter trains will be diverted between Frankfurt and Nuremberg with a 10-minute delay. From February 21st, these trains will be canceled entirely.
- Dortmund-Düsseldorf-Frankfurt-Nuremberg-Munich line: Trains will be diverted via Darmstadt without stopping, adding 10-30 minutes to travel time.
- Dortmund-Cologne-Frankfurt-Nuremberg-Passau-Vienna line: Trains will be diverted via Darmstadt without stopping, extending travel time by up to 20 minutes. Skipping Hanau and Koblenz main station.
- Other individual trains will be diverted between Kassel or Fulda and Frankfurt with delays of up to 40 minutes. Skipping Fulda, Hanau, and Frankfurt Süd.
Bridge Demolition and Reconstruction
The 62-meter southern portion of the bridge will be dismantled into 14 segments, each weighing approximately 2,400 tons. A crawler crane will transport the segments to a nearby allotment garden for further dismantling.
The bridge demolition is part of a larger project to construct a new main train station bridge. The original bridge, built in 1958, was no longer repairable and had to be replaced. The new bridge is scheduled to be completed by 2027.
Project Funding and Timeline
The total cost of the project is estimated at 56 million euros, with the Deutsche Bahn and the city of Hanau each contributing half. The state of Hesse has also provided an 18 million euro subsidy.
