Einbeck becomes part of the rail network again after 34 years
In March 2015, the then Transport Minister of Lower Saxony, Mr. Olaf Lies (SPD), announced the reactivation of disused railway lines. He justified this with the fact that the trend is leaning towards going back to rail traffic and away from the road. One of the reactivated lines is the line between Einbeck-Mitte and Einbeck-Salzderhelden. As ARGE Ilmebahn, consisting of: the construction companies Willke rail construction GmbH & Co. KG (technical management), Matthäi Trimodalbau GmbH & Co. KG and Stefen GmbH & Co. KG, the work was successfully completed. ARGE Ilmebahn carried out the following work on behalf of Ilmebahn GmbH in Einbeck with a contract volume of 3.35 million €:
- Reactivation/new construction of approx. 4,250m track with ballast cleaning, sleeper and rail renewal
- Exchange of 6 turnouts
- Renewal of 5 level crossings with track support slabs and bituminous construction as well as the necessary signalling technology
- Complete new platform construction incl. lighting and equipment at the station in Einbeck
- Track construction over the new bridge structures over the Ilme, Leine and Leine flood bridge
- Complete underground cable construction for the connection to the ESTW in Salzderhelden
Despite all efforts, an extension of the construction period by 12 months was inevitable. In 2017 there were two summer floods which brought the work to a standstill. Problems were also caused by the Ilme bridge, which could not be rebuilt despite all attempts being made. The new construction of the steel bridge superstructure took 4 of these months alone. On 09.12.2018 the line will resume regular operation. For the first time since 1984, the town of Einbeck can now be reached by train and passengers can travel directly to Göttingen.