Our project diary 

Construction Progress in Section 1

Significant progress was made in the first construction phase in 2025. At the Hasselbrook rail junction, work on the grade separation structure progressed considerably. In the northern section, the floor and walls of the future railway tunnel have already been completed using reinforced concrete. In the central section, the frame structure, which will later support the railway line running above, is under construction. An underground concrete slab has been installed here to ensure the structure will be watertight. Currently, tiebacks are being installed to guarantee structural stability.

Work has also progressed visibly in Wandsbek. The first bridge superstructures arrived at Bovestraße. These are prefabricated in the workshop and then welded together on site. Simultaneously, service walkways and central supports are being built so that the bridge can support the new S-Bahn station.

At Luetkensallee, the track work has been completed, the subsoil stabilized, and the necessary preparations made for the construction of the extended pedestrian underpass. The dismantling of the old structures is now underway, before the excavation pit is sealed in early 2026 and construction of the new frame structure begins in the spring.

The trial operation of the transparent MetaWindows continues successfully. More than 900 square meters of these transparent noise barriers have been erected since October 2024 as part of the operational testing. The analysis of the most recent inspection is currently being compiled. Preliminary results already show that the noise-absorbtion on the track side is just as effective as that of the traditional aluminum elements.

Planning for construction phases 2 and 3 as well as for the individual measures

In the second planning approval phase, we also made significant progress in 2025. In March, the third amendment to the plans was finalized and publicly announced. Those affected by the amendment then had another opportunity to submit objections. In October, the public hearing process concluded, and the hearing report was received. This report compiles the objections thematically and categorizes them from a technical perspective. The planning approval authority uses the report as a basis for its decision on the planning approval or to identify necessary revisions to the plans.

There were also positive developments in the third planning approval phase. Practical solutions were found for issues raised in the submitted objections, and these are currently being incorporated into the planning documents. At Ahrensburg West, boreholes were drilled to examine the subsoil more closely and to prepare the geotechnical report. At Brauner Hirsch, alternatives were examined that avoid archaeologically valuable areas and thus require significantly less disturbance to the ground. The environmental documentation has also been further developed: Important information was obtained through re-mapping of fauna (wildlife) and biotopes (habitats).

Particularly pleasing: the planning approval for the individual project in Bad Oldesloe has been in place since November.

The experience gained from the construction work in Wandsbek is also providing important foundations for the upcoming construction phases. Findings from soil stabilization, bridge construction, and noise protection are being incorporated into further planning.

Public relations

2025 was also a very active year in terms of communication. Numerous visitors participated in our public construction site tours during the summer. At the UITP Summit, the S4 presented itself as a flagship project for Hamburg and also offered international guests an exclusive technical tour of the construction site. On Rail Day in September, the project team organized two special tours with an S4 bingo game – afterwards, the information train invited participants to chat over coffee and cookies.

The information train is now taking a winter break until the end of January 2026 and will then reopen with adjusted hours. Learn more about the information train here.

Further impressions and background information on the project can be found at any time in our project diary.

Progress was also made in the planning phase: Soil investigations, feasibility studies, and the planning approval for Bad Oldesloe provide a solid foundation for the upcoming construction phases. Events such as site tours and our information train further strengthened communication with the public.

With this foundation in place, we look forward to 2026: Further construction progress, planning decisions, and an open dialogue with all stakeholders are on the horizon. We thank you for your trust and wish you a peaceful Christmas season and a happy New Year.

Here's to continued successful collaboration!

— Bernd Homfeldt, Head of S4 & ABS Pinneberg-Elmshorn

We at the S4 project were pleased to welcome many visitors to two guided tours at the construction site located in the first construction section. These tours are joint efforts between stakeholder management, technical project management, and construction supervision. After an engaging presentation on planning, technology, and construction progress, we guided the various visitor groups on an exclusive site tour, showcasing the many advances made so far. This year's tours included a special highlight: visitors were able to test their knowledge in a fun S4 bingo game, where the top three finishers received a small prize. 

Afterwards, all participants boarded our S4 information train. There, accompanied by a light refreshment of coffee and biscuits for everyone, the bingo winners were honored in a small award ceremony.  

Our public tours aim to promote transparency and make the progress of the S4 project tangible and accessible. We are especially pleased by the diversity of our guests and the opportunity to engage directly with everyone in this setting. 

We would like to thank all those interested in the project and visitors for their questions, active participation, and positive feedback. We look forward to welcoming you to our next construction site tours. 

 What to expect?

• Guided tour of the S4 construction site with exciting insights into planning, technology, and construction progress.
• Visit to our S4 information train.
• S4 Bingo: A fun game about the project. Winners will receive a small prize.

Date and meeting point:

• Friday, September 19th, 2025
• Tours begin at: 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (The tour starting at 1pm is fully booked. Spots are still availble for the tour at 9 am.)
• Meeting point: Hammer Straße 44, 22041 Hamburg

Schedule:

• Duration: Approx. 2.5 hours
• The information train is open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Safety:

• Helmets and high-visibility vests will be provided on site.
• Please wear sturdy shoes.

Registration:

The number of participants is limited – places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please register by email at S4 (at) deutschebahn.com with the following information:

• Last name, first name
• Desired time on September 19, 2025
• Telephone number
• Email address

Take a look behind the scenes and experience the S4 construction site in Hamburg up close!

Many interesting conversations took place at our project stand with visitors from all over the world, such as Spain, Singapore, the USA and Canada. We were not only able to present the project, but also to inspire our dialogue partners. Our experts from various specialist areas of the S4 project were available to answer visitors' questions. The most common topics were the project timetable, the frequency of operations, the new route with its new stations and the current construction activities. To give visitors an even better insight into the project, they had the opportunity to attend a ‘technical visit’ on 19 June and experience the current construction progress up close during a guided tour of our construction site.

Participating in the UITP Summit was an enriching experience for the S4 team. The positive impressions gained and the discussions had a fulfilling effect, helping us to drive the project forward with renewed vigour.

We would like to thank all interested parties for their attendance and the successful UITP Summit!

Dates:

• Thursday, June 26, 2025
• Thursday, July 31, 2025 (fully booked)
• Thursday, August 28, 2025 (fully booked)

Location: Hammer Straße 44, 22041 Hamburg

Schedule:

The tours start at 1:30 p.m. and last approximately two hours.

Afterwards, we invite you to visit our S4 information train – it is open every Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Good to know:

For your safety, we provide helmets and high-visibility vests. Please remember to wear sturdy shoes.

How to register:

The number of participants is limited – places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Simply send us an email to S4 (at) deutschebahn.com with the following information:

• Last name, first name
• Desired date
• Telephone number
• Email address

We look forward to your visit to the construction site!

Construction progress in construction section 1

We are very pleased with the progress we have made in the construction section 1 this year. Highlights include the commissioning of the electronic interlocking system in Hasselbrook and the start of the trial operation of the MetaWindows. However, further construction progress along the route has also been very exciting, including the construction of the retaining walls by our S4-Info Train by Hammer Strasse and at Am Neumarkt , as well as the start of the shoring work, i.e. work to stabilize the subsoil, for the Hasselbrook flyover structure.

Planning for construction sections 2 & 3

2024 was also a big year for the planning of the construction sections 2 and 3. The year started with a significant step: the IPA market dialogue, which served the purpose of finding partners for the integrated project alliance (IPA) which will be implemented in construction sections 2 and 3. The hearing for construction section 2 also took place last year and we were able to obtain the planning approval decision for the individual measure Bargteheide. Another exciting development is the start of the renovation work at the Rahlstedt central bus station. A completely new S-Bahn station will be built here later on.

Public Relations

Last year we again had the joyful opportunity to exchange ideas with you in various formats and to publicly represent the major S4 S-Bahn line project. Our highlights included the Connecting Europe Days conference in Brussels, the S4-Info Train campaign, through which we were able to attract many new visitors to the Info Train, receiving the ICPMA Award in New York, Rail Day in September, where we showed you around our construction site and were pleased to receive a lot of positive feedback, and most recently, the information evening on area and property management for construction section 2.

The active political exchange was also again very positive this year. We received visits from various politicians at our construction site and in our office, as well as going to visit them.

The first challenge was finding a suitable location. The office is unable to fit all of us, but thanks to our wonderful colleagues at the ICE plant in Hamburg-Eidelstedt, we were able to hold our team workshop there in the lock shed on November 28th - a big thank you goes out to them!

The focus of our team workshop was, in addition to personal exchange, to get to know and understand the respective projects. For this purpose, interactive market stalls were prepared on 4 different topics: the S4 project, the connecting railway relief tunnel, the expansion of Hamburg main station and the lean project management method.

The market stalls led to an intensive exchange between colleagues and the projects. It was very exciting to see which hurdles different projects have already overcome and which opportunities they bring with them.

It was obvious that we can learn a lot from each other with so many different experiences. At the same time, we were united by the common goal of improving and expanding the range of local, regional and long-distance transport services. We are therefore very much looking forward to supporting each other!

Our team provided an overview of key tasks and processes, offering insights into the typical timeline of negotiations and an approximate schedule for land requirements. To help participants better understand the terminology, we explained different types of land use and demonstrated how to interpret a land acquisition plan step by step. The property valuation experts then discussed the general process of determining compensation. During the moderated Q&A session, attendees had the opportunity to address any remaining questions about area and property management processes. 

Feel free to visit our media center, where you’ll find the presentation from the evening and can review all the information at your own pace. 

We would like to sincerely thank all attendees for their active participation, thoughtful questions, and constructive dialogue! 

For any questions or concerns regarding area and property management, you can reach the team directly from Monday to Friday between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM at S4-Flaechenmanagement@deutschebahn.com. 

In her own words: "As many of you know, it is anything but easy for me to say goodbye. I am incredibly proud of my team and the collaboration with you, as well as all the milestones we have achieved together this year and in previous years. The same applies to the future: there are no problems, only challenges that we need to tackle in order to move forward. I am sure that my great team will continue to do this."

Amina Karam looks back on a successful period in which a lot has happened, from the start of construction to many construction successes and planning milestones. Her commitment and trusting collaboration with the team, the states of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein and all internal and external stakeholders have played a key role in making these successes possible.

The S4 project team would like to express its heartfelt thanks for the partnership-based cooperation, her commitment and the good time. We wish her all the best and continued success in her future professional and personal endeavours!

Dr Tina Wagner, Head of Transport at the Ministry of Transport and Mobility Transition, Hamburg: "I would like to thank Amina Karam for her tireless commitment, with which she has successfully developed our S4 project and brought it to fruition. Professionalism, agility, solution- and customer-orientation are among her trademarks. Working with her was extremely transparent and very inspiring. Good luck and all the best for the future!"

Markus Egerer, Managing Director of DB Bahnbau Gruppe GmbH: "Thank you for your tenacity, your support, your tireless efforts and your courage to try something new! Please keep it up! All the best for the new challenges!"

Andre Schwarz, Head of S-Bahn Hamburg: "Dear Amina, you have driven the S4 project forward with heart and passion and achieved so many positive things - these are important building blocks for the further growth of the S-Bahn in Hamburg. We wish you all the best for your future, full of new successes and unforgettable moments!"

Frank Arne Limprecht, Head of Infrastructure Projects Regional Division North: "Dear Amina, thank you very much for your remarkable commitment to S4. We will miss your unconditional determination to make S4 a success, your operational construction experience, your innovative solutions and your partnership-based collaboration with stakeholders, politicians and our contractors. I wish you all the best and every success in your next career move."

Wolfgang Weinhold, Programme Manager for the general refurbishment of the high-performance grid: "P'tit conseil entre amis: The most important thing in a speech is the ... pause ;) Merci pour ton énergie et de ta ténacité! Tu nous manqueras!"

Christoph Bremer, Head of Infrastructure Operations S-Bahn Hamburg: "Thank you for your tireless commitment and passion for the S4 project. Your energy and focus have always inspired us. We will miss your fresh ideas and enthusiasm!"

Harald Wolkenhauer, Head of Construction File Design, Integrated Bundling, Construction Capacity Management: "Dear Amina, the discussions took place at all times of the day, were always solution-orientated and in a warm atmosphere."

Matthias Hudaff, Head of Major Projects ABS / NBS Hamburg - Hanover, ABS Bremen - Hanover: "Dear Amina, I was able to accompany you as your mentor during your time at DB. You bring fresh solutions and outstanding results to your projects. Be proud of what you have achieved. I am very excited about your further development."

Philip Arnold, Head of Commercial Project Management / Controlling Infrastructure Projects Northern Region: "Dear Amina, once you have turned the S4 inside out and placed the project in the illuminated shop window of DB-Hamburg in the public eye, from the population to the funding providers, you are leaving Deutsche Bahn with your temperament and drive to take on new challenges. I sincerely wish you all the best for this, much success with a pinch of luck and, above all, good health! It was an eventful time and a pleasure to have got to know you."

Kerstin Thomsen, Head of Commissioning Stage 1 of the S4: "Dear Amina, your appreciation and talent for bringing together all the important issues, along with your seemingly inexhaustible energy, have been decisive for the success of the project and the special dynamism of the S4 team. Thank you very much for your trust! I wish you all the best for your future endeavours and we always meet twice in life."

Cassandra Möhring, Head of Construction Operations and Commissioning of the S4: "Dear Amina, thank you for your personal commitment and your tireless dedication to the project and your team! Stay healthy and good luck with your new challenge! You always meet twice in life - the construction world is small."

Michael Kablitz, Head of Planning for the S4: "Dear Amina, we will miss your energy and your awareness of questioning existing structures and processes. Even if we part ways, the shared experiences and your inspiration will remain valuable because we have all grown from them. Thank you for that."

Armin Ismic, Deputy Head of Railway Technology for the S4: "Dear Amina, you have always encouraged and challenged me, and your tireless commitment has shown me that perseverance and drive lead to extraordinary success. Your ability to drive projects forward with a clear vision has inspired me and shaped my own commitment. You have left a deep mark of inspiration that will stay with me in the future - thank you for everything."

Jens Witte, Head of Commissioning Stage 2 of the S4: "Dear Amina, although we've only known each other for a short time, I've been blown away by what you've achieved for the S4 and the team in such a short space of time. And I don't know anyone who can do so many things at the same time! All the best!!!"

Katrin Richter, Assistant to the General Manager and Communications Officer: "Dear Amina, I will always remember the great enthusiasm and passion with which you shaped and advanced the project! I wish you all the best for the future!"

Catrin Yazdani, Senior Change Manager of the S4: "Dear Amina, I wish you mega-exciting tasks and a great team for your next station. You'll rock it with your passion and dynamism!"

Nic Wetzel, sub-project manager of the S4: "Dear Amina, with your above-average motivation, your constant support and your forward-looking visions, you have not only set the course for a successful project implementation, but with passion and high pressure you have also been instrumental in realising the milestones and successes to date. Furthermore, with your mindset and your commitment, you are a role model beyond DB and project boundaries."

Pia Haskamp, Team Leader Stakeholder Management for the S4 suburban railway line: "Dear Amina, thank you very much for the consistently good and trusting work that we have done together with you as project manager and the entire S4 communications team over the past few years. I wish you all the best for the future and a great job in your new job together with your new communications team!"

Dominik Groh, Team Leader Contract and Supplementary Management for the S4: "Dear Amina, your commitment and vision have had a lasting impact on our project and the team. Your support and the trusting cooperation in contract and supplementary management were always a great support to us and we will miss you. Thank you very much for the time we spent together - we wish you all the best for the future!"

Dr Fahad Seemab, Project Engineer Civil Engineering and KIB / CBR candidate at the S4 : "Dear Amina, you have been a great inspiration to me ever since I joined DB. The most important thing I have learnt from you is to always stay motivated and be proactive to move forward at DB."

Metin Erkan, Project Engineer Railway Technology and Equipment / CBR Candidate at the S4: "Dear Amina, it's been 3 years since the interview with you and I still remember exactly how it was. The last few years have passed quickly and during this time you have changed my CV, added new perspectives to my career path and transformed it into something more beautiful and better. I wish you all the best both professionally and personally and thank you once again for your valuable support!"

Benno Hacker, DB Bahnbau Gruppe GmbH, Head of Noise Protection Systems: "The name Amina Karam stands for teamwork, innovative spirit, inspiration and assertiveness and, in particular, for partnership-based cooperation at all levels. You can only win when you stand shoulder to shoulder with Amina."

Joëlle Engelmann, Deutsche Bahn AG, HR Recruiterin:  „Liebe Amina, Veränderung ist der Schlüssel zum Wachstum. Viel Erfolg auf deinem weiteren Weg.“

Anjes Tjarks, Senator for Transport and Mobility Transition in Hamburg: "This federal funding once again emphasises Hamburg's importance in the expansion of rail transport, which is the basis for a successful mobility transition. In Hamburg, we are working on many large-scale infrastructure projects to significantly improve services and thus strengthen local public transport. The S4 is one of the most important local transport projects for Hamburg and around 250,000 people will benefit from it. And for the first time, Rahlstedt, one of the most populous districts of the city, will be connected to the S-Bahn network. As a replacement line for regional trains, the S4 will also relieve the heavily frequented main railway station. This new line is therefore of outstanding interest both regionally and nationally. My thanks go in particular to Amina Karam, who has driven this project forward with enormous commitment over the past few years."

Claus Ruhe Madsen, Minister for Economic Affairs and Transport in Schleswig-Holstein: "For Schleswig-Holstein, the expansion of the S4 is one of the most important rail infrastructure projects of recent decades. With the new S-Bahn connection, we are creating a reliable service and a transfer-free connection from Bad Oldesloe to Hamburg city centre. This will encourage more people to leave their cars at home and travel by train. At the same time, the new S4 will enable us to use the long-distance railway tracks that have been freed up for long-distance services to Denmark. Once the Fehmarnbelt link is completed, we will then benefit from direct connections to Scandinavia."

In addition to the funding from the federal government, the ongoing construction work on the first section continues to make great progress - with a world first. For the first time, transparent noise barriers are being used, which can have a highly absorbent effect and benefit local residents in particular. Thanks to the special technology, they are designed to provide the same level of protection as conventional noise barriers, but blend in much better with their surroundings, making them particularly suitable for use near residential areas. With the so-called MetaWindow, DB and the states of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein have succeeded in creating greater acceptance for the S4 project. In the first stage, the transparent walls will be installed over a length of 55 metres in trial operation. Further acoustic measurements will take place in the coming months.

Amina Karam, General Project Director S-Bahn S4 & General Refurbishment Hamburg-Lübeck: "The approval of the federal funding and the start of trial operation of the transparent noise barriers are two major successes that we can celebrate in the major S-Bahn line S4 project. These milestones would not have been possible without my great team and the fantastic team at DB Bahnbaugruppe. The cooperation with the states of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein and the joint commitment to this important milestone have once again proven that cooperation and innovation are the key to success! Only together can we achieve great things and master complex challenges."

You can find the complete press release here.

Many media outlets covered the press event on the progress of the construction site and the funding approval, including the Schleswig-Holsteinische Zeitungsverlag, NDR, Sat.1 Regional, Hamburger Abendblatt and Welt.

We began by inviting the students into our on-site office, where one of our project managers gave a presentation about the project, its phases, and the individual construction measures involved. The students were highly interested in the project and especially in the synergies between the general Hamburg–Lübeck overhaul and the S4.

After the presentation, we headed out to the construction site. There, we explained more about the temporary bridge, the progress on the flyover structure at the triangular junction, and the support and noise barriers at the Horner Bogen. The students were particularly curious about how we manage to build while the trains are still running, without causing significant disruptions to the service.

If you are interested in organizing a construction site tour for students, feel free to contact our university relations team at hochschulmanagement-nord (at) deutschebahn.com.

“We welcome all visitors to our site, but it’s always something special to talk to young, eager minds about the S4. Engaging with them allows us to understand what matters to the younger generation, how they think about railway construction, and where their interests lie – it’s incredibly enriching for us.” – Amina Karam, General Director S-Line S4 & General Overhaul Hamburg-Lübeck

The "Tag der Schiene" at the S4 was a joint project between the stakeholder management team, the technical project management, and the construction supervision. Together, we guided three different groups of visitors across the construction site, showcasing our latest and most impressive progress: a newly installed auxiliary bridge (one of the longest in Germany), new tracks, noise barriers at the Horner Bogen, and retaining walls driven several meters deep into the ground to form the foundation for the flyover structure.

Additionally, there were three information booths where project data and facts were presented. The posters enabled us to help our guests visualize how the area will transform from a large construction site into a state-of-the-art rail network.

A heartfelt thanks goes to all visitors, who brought the event to life with their active participation and curiosity. We were especially pleased to see the diversity of our guests: from local residents along the new S-Bahn route to technology enthusiasts, from teenagers to seniors, everyone was represented.

“We are especially pleased that we were able to give participants an up-close look at the complex construction processes. Events like this are crucial for creating transparency and making progress visible and tangible for everyone. Thank you for your visit!”

— Amina Karam, General Director S-Line S4 & General Overhaul Hamburg-Lübeck

The visit began with a presentation in the construction office, which facilitated a very constructive and interesting exchange. Our guests asked many relevant questions, which led to a lively discussion, which we greatly appreciated. This was followed by a tour of the construction site, during which we were able to present the progress made compared to the previous year.

We would like to thank everyone for their visit and the stimulating dialogue and are already looking forward to next year.

"I very much appreciate the regular and constructive exchange with Mr Buschhüter. Especially his assessment of the mood of the residents is extremely valuable for our project." – Amina Karam, General Director S-Line S4 and General Overhaul Hamburg–Lübeck

NO MORE SPACES AVAILABLE

When? Friday, 20. September 2024 
Where? Hammer Straße 44, 22041 Hamburg

We will provide you with a helmet and a safety coat, you just need to bring sturdy shoes.

We ask for a binding registration, as places are limited for safety reasons. 
Simply send us an email to S4 (at) deutschebahn.com with the following details:

• Surname, name
• Timeslot of the construction site tour
• Telephone number
• Email address

We are already looking forward to welcoming you on our construction site on September 20th, 2024!

"I look forward to welcoming you to our construction site together with my team and having you very close to us - after all, we are building for you and with you. Be part of it!" 
- Amina Karam, General Director S-Line S4 and General Overhaul Hamburg-Lübeck

Anjes Tjarks, Senator for Transport and Mobility Transition: "With 95,000 inhabitants, Rahlstedt is not only by far the most populous district in Hamburg's largest district of Wandsbek, but also an important transport hub in the east of Hamburg due to its location. A modern mobility hub is now being built in Rahlstedt to connect Rahlstedt and the surrounding area even more closely to Hamburg city center and to meet the growing mobility needs of the metropolitan region. We are considering all forms of mobility in one: in addition to a modern, larger bus station, a new S-Bahn station for the S4 is being built. Both facilities will be directly connected to each other in terms of construction and accessibility. New Bike+Ride facilities and bicycle racks are also being built. This will allow people in and around Rahlstedt to conveniently switch from bike or bus to train and reach Hamburg city center in around 20 minutes with the S4 every 10 minutes. The new high-performance transport hub with its wide range of services will give a major boost to the mobility transition in the east of Hamburg and in the metropolitan region."

The extensive construction work on the new Rahlstedt bus facility is now getting underway. Opened in the mid-1980s, the facility now connects 15 bus routes to Deutsche Bahn's Rahlstedt regional train station. Before the new S-Bahn line 4 stops here at the end of 2027, the Rahlstedt bus facility is to be completely renovated and expanded. Once completed, Deutsche Bahn expects the S4 to handle 14,000 passengers per day instead of 8,000.

Deutsche Bahn will then start construction work on the new S-Bahn line 4 in Rahlstedt. By the end of 2027, this will offer a much more frequent and reliable connection to and from Rahlstedt than the existing regional train with its 10-minute frequency. Over 120,000 people from the Rahlstedt catchment area and neighboring Meiendorf are expected to benefit from the new S-Bahn connection.

Ute Plambeck, Management Representative for the Federal States of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein: "When the S4 starts operating in Rahlstedt at the end of 2027, local people will benefit in a very tangible way. This means, for example, that you can get from Rahlstedt to Jungfernstieg in 22 minutes and to Landungsbrücken in 26 minutes without changing trains. In addition, the 10-minute interval during rush hour will also improve connections to buses. The district will become much more attractive in terms of local transport. We are all pulling together to achieve this."

You can find the complete press info here.

We, as the EU-funded major project S-Bahnlinie S4, will also be represented again this year with an exhibition stand. As a project located on one of Europe's most important transport axes - the Scandinavian Mediterranean Corridor - it is important to us to present ourselves locally and for Europe together with the Hamburg Transport and Mobility Authority (BVM).

BVM's Head of Transport, Dr Tina Wagner, and our General Project Director Amina Karam will also be there. We look forward to seeing new and familiar faces and talking to you on site. You can find more information on key topics and the programme here.

For all those of you who are interested: Participation in the Connecting Europe Days is free of charge and possible with a simple registration under this link.

S4 General Project Director Amina Karam: "We are building the S4 for everyone so that as many people as possible can switch to climate-friendly rail travel. Of course, the same applies to our info train: I am therefore delighted that we have been able to equip the S4 info train at our construction site on Hammer Straße with a ramp, so that from now on anyone who is interested can take advantage of the offer and reach the info train without barriers. We are delighted to be able to present the future S4 to as many visitors as possible with our information service."

Anyone who would like to find out more about the S4 project is welcome to explore the info train. We have also been back from our winter break since January 18, 2024. From now on, we are back for you as usual every Thursday from 3.30 to 5.30 pm or on Tuesdays for group visits by prior appointment at S4 (at) deutschebahn.com. We look forward to welcoming you to the S4 info train!

In addition to electrification, three kilometers of new tracks were laid for the S-Bahn and mainline railroad, ten new points were installed and 400 meters of new noise barriers were erected. In the coming year, the focus will be on construction work on Bovestrasse, where two new bridges are to be installed, among other things. The existing tracks there will have to be renewed to allow four tracks to cross the road in future instead of the previous three. In addition, new noise barriers will be built along more than two kilometers of the route, including in the Hammer Straße area, where residents will benefit from the measure.

Anjes Tjarks, Senator for Transport and Mobility Transition: "The S4 is a central rail axis in the north and one of the most important local transport projects for Hamburg. 13 kilometers of newly extended S-Bahn tracks on Hamburg territory, four new, easily accessible stations in the east of Hamburg, a tighter timetable and better connections between the east and the surrounding area and Hamburg city center make the S4 an attractive, climate-friendly service for almost 100,000 passengers. For the first time, Rahlstedt, one of the most populous parts of the city, will be connected to the S-Bahn network. To achieve this, we are now literally electrifying the S4: 30 new electricity pylons and around 5 kilometers of cable have to be laid. The start has been made so that the S4 can run on 100 percent green electricity in future - quietly and in a climate-friendly way. This is not only an asset for the mobility transition, but also for the climate targets of the city and the surrounding municipalities."

General Project Director Amina Karam: "Thanks to the electrification, the S4 will not only be quieter once it is completed, but also particularly environmentally friendly. We are on schedule and on budget with the construction measures. We are making very good progress, bundling measures and optimizing planning wherever possible in order to be able to build quickly. The number of passengers on regional services has been rising for years. That's why we are working hard to ensure that even more people switch to rail in the future and that the mobility transition is brought to life."

From 2029, the S4 will connect Altona and Bad Oldesloe for the first time with an S-Bahn line that will benefit 250,000 commuters. In addition to the new S-Bahn line, DB is also building five new stations along the route. The investment costs amount to around 1.8 billion euros - for the new connection and extensive noise protection measures.

Many journalists covered the press event on the progress of the construction site, including the NDR, Sat1 Regional, the Zeit, the Abendblatt and the Hamburger Morgenpost.

What are compensatory measures? Interventions in the landscape often result in changes to nature and living creatures. We compensate for these changes and thus ensure that the negative impact on nature and living creatures is as low as possible. This is called compensatory measures.

With the measures that have now been brought forward, we are pursuing the goal of creating new habitats for the amphibian species great crested newt and moor frog as well as for the breeding bird species willow warbler and common linnet (see below for details). We are also developing new flowering meadows. All measures are always coordinated with the Hamburg Ministry for the Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture (BUKEA) and are carried out in cooperation with BUKEA's special fund for nature conservation and landscape management.

The compensatory measures have been brought forward, i.e. they are taking place before the start of the planned construction work on the S4 urban railroad line in section 2, so that the habitats can develop well over the next few years for the animal species mentioned and we can avoid delays in the construction process from an environmental perspective. In this way, we also meet the legal requirements.

General Project Director Amina Karam: "In order to minimize the impact on nature caused by the construction of the S4, we attach great importance to balanced, early and good planning. Wherever we particularly affect the habitat of animals and plants, we create compensation areas, new habitats and the best possible new home for flora and fauna. By expanding a strong rail connection, the environment also benefits in the end: because more people and goods switch to environmentally friendly rail and car traffic can be reduced. So that Germany can achieve its climate targets."

We are implementing the following measures:

New habitat for the moor frog and the great crested newt in the Stellmoor tunnel valley, Wandsbek district
We are creating a new, sunny and vegetation-rich body of water for the moor frog and the crested newt. We desilt the existing body of water and thus enhance its value. By adding deadwood, we increase the structural diversity of the new habitat. This provides hiding places for animals, promotes biodiversity and contributes to the health of the ecosystem.

New habitat for breeding birds in Stellmoorer Tunneltal, Wandsbek district
We are building a new wall of shrubs and trees for breeding birds. This will be planted with regional and site-appropriate shrubs and a species-rich ruderal fringe will be created on both sides. A ruderal edge? This is a planted embankment that will provide space for animals to breed and a habitat for other animal and plant species.

Another new habitat for the great crested newt in Wohldorfer Wald, Wandsbek district
The great crested newt will also have a new and sunny body of water here. We are converting an adjacent grassland into a damp grass and shrub landscape, which will serve as a habitat for the great crested newt on land in future. Here too, piles of dead wood and gray willow bushes will be created.

Development of a flowering meadow in the district of Bergedorf 
In the district of Bergedorf, we are developing the habitat type "lean lowland hay meadow" with species-rich and flowering meadows. The existing meadow is being enhanced with native seeds to promote the development of native plants and species.

But that was by no means all! Construction work is also in full swing further down the line, including preparations for the new Bovestrasse railroad bridge and construction work on the Claudiusstrasse passenger tunnel. The construction work will continue to make great progress in 2024, Karam reported. The partial commissioning of the S4 to Hamburg-Rahlstedt at the timetable change in December 2027 is firmly in sight for all the work! And the best thing is that much of the construction work for the new S-Bahn line will be carried out during ongoing rail operations - without the need for longer closures.

Dr. Tina Wagner was visibly impressed by the wide range of construction activities and thanked the entire S4 team for their great commitment to the mobility turnaround. A visit full of new insights that will really get the future of mobility in Hamburg rolling!

There were also controversial opinions, also among the people of Ahrensburg. The focus was particularly on the issue of noise protection, because this is about protecting the people who live along the route - but also about the townscape and visual axes. Karam would therefore like to build transparent walls in Ahrensburg as noise protection as a compromise. These walls are currently undergoing final certification. Karam says: "We hope to have this soon so we can address the issue concretely." To illustrate this, the DB experts presented a noise protection simulator and a model of the transparent noise protection wall.

For the Stellmoor tunnel valley, DB has redesigned the planned bridge structure at "Brauner Hirsch". This is now significantly slimmed down, lower and also much less conspicuous without a round arch. Karam explains: "For the construction, we only need the road that already exists there today. This is outside the protected area." The Stellmoor Tunnel Valley is to become more attractive and for people to experience. Therefore, there will also be a small platform on the bridge, from which the tunnel valley can be wonderfully overlooked.

The third main topic was the logistics and use of municipal land during the construction phase. Karam commented: "We can minimize land use by 60 percent, because our goal is to make sure you can get from A to B in the city even during the construction phase." Karam appealed to guests to continue to participate and voice their opinions on the S4. "We can only build with you, never against you."

The planning documents for the third construction phase will now be made available to the public for four weeks from the end of September 2023. Subsequently, citizens will have the opportunity to submit their objections in writing within two weeks. Public interest groups (PPOs) have three months to submit their comments.

Note: The latest planning adjustments, including those relating to the "Brauner Hirsch" bridge structure, will of course be taken into account in the planning approval procedure. However, in order not to delay the overall procedure, these revisions are not yet listed in the plan documents on display, but will only be submitted to the hearing authority in a next step. However, this procedure, which is common for major projects, does not affect the time horizon of the S4.

The discussion in the "S4 Arena" was accompanied by many media, including reports by the NDR and the Hamburger Abendblatt.

Come by and talk to us! At a neighbourhood get-together, you can get information about the S4 while enjoying snacks and a coffee. There will also be something for the kids: games, a quiz and lots of surprises for everyone! 

From 15 to 17 September, we will take you on the S4 expedition and let you explore the future S-Bahn line. Here you can learn new things about the S4 and test your knowledge. Scan the QR codes at the stations in Hasselbrook, Rahlstedt, Ahrensburg or at the Info Train and take part! 

On 15 September, you can of course collect a small prize for each quiz you solve. And here you will find the Info Train. 

Our project team awaits you at exciting market stands as well as for a panel discussion with lots of information about the project, the third section and the topics of land management, noise protection and the environment.

We look forward to welcoming you on site in Ahrensburg on 7 September and to engaging in dialogue with you.

Amina Karam, DB's S4 General Project Director: "In a construction project of this magnitude, agile project planning is extremely important. All the building blocks influence each other - it's like a cogwheel, each element has an impact on the other and the overall system. With our idea, we work our way forward quickly and effectively, regardless of external circumstances such as the market and necessary blocking periods. It's a win-win situation - we build and the train traffic rolls. In this way, we are making further important construction progress on the new artery for local transport between Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein."

Anjes Tjarks, Senator for Traffic and Mobility: "The construction of the S4 is an important pillar for the success of the mobility change in Hamburg: a quarter of a million people in Hamburg and the surrounding area will be better connected to Hamburg's rapid transit network in the future and the main station will be significantly relieved. In addition, the S4 will increase the reliability of public transport in the north-east of Hamburg and in the metropolitan region as far as Bad Oldesloe. At the same time, it is of course important that we keep the city, as well as long-distance traffic, flowing during the construction period. The freshly installed bridges in combination with agile construction planning are a very good prerequisite for this. It is also a good and right signal that Deutsche Bahn is using bridges from its inventory for this purpose." 

Next year, DB will be building two 1.2-kilometre-long bypass tracks in Hasselbrook. Experts will equip the tracks with overhead lines and contact wire and connect them to the Lübeck-Hamburg mainline line. Thus, from spring 2023, the railway will roll past the construction site for the new railway crossing of the S1 and S4 as well as the work for the double-track expansion of the Horner Kurve. This will also start next year. In the area between the Hammer Straße and Wandsbek Rathaus railway bridges, DB is building foundations for the noise barriers. The work package also includes preparatory work for the new Claudiusstraße, Schlossgarten and Bovestraße railway bridges.

Many media picked up on the construction progress of the S4, including NDR, Sat1, as well as N-TV and the Hamburger Morgenpost. 

DB shows innovation in noise protection

Deutsche Bahn is breaking new ground in noise protection. A partnership between the DB Bahnbau Group and the Italian start-up Phononic Vibes resulted in a transparent noise barrier that offers a very high level of protection against noise. Those who wanted to get a personal impression of this new type of wall were able to view it in front of the event hall. DB had specially installed a sample wall there.

Amina Karam showed visualisations specially made for Ahrensburg in the hall - and aroused great interest.

This new type of noise barrier is currently in the approval process and may not yet be installed in Germany. Karam says: "We are working on being able to use these or similar walls in Germany in the future. Because we believe that with these innovations we can get people even more excited about our construction projects".

Panel discusses three core topics
In the first part of the panel discussion, experts discussed fundamental issues such as the benefits and challenges of the S4 expansion. Among others, Martin von Ivernois, Head of Department for Local Public Transport and Railways in the Ministry of Economics, Transport, Labour, Technology and Tourism of Schleswig-Holstein, and Amina Karam, General Project Director of the S4 project, discussed with each other. Karam confirmed that Deutsche Bahn invested a lot of effort and time in planning and examining variants in order to make the best decision technically, economically, but also for people and the environment.

Round 2 focused on the topics of archaeology and the environment. Also present for Deutsche Bahn was the experienced environmental expert Martin Roger. He emphasised that a transport turnaround will only succeed if local transport projects like this are implemented, but with respect for pre history and nature: "We are aware of the importance of the tunnel valley and have included this in our planning from the very beginning. On the basis of many studies, including FFH compatibility, archaeology and species protection, we have analysed what needs to be avoided and what needs to be done. We take this as seriously as it actually is. We don't do this on the side".

In addition to environmental protection, archaeology is also a much-discussed topic in the S4 expansion. Dr Ulf Ickerodt, state archaeologist and head of the Schleswig-Holstein State Archaeological Office, emphasises the correct and appropriate consideration of the archaeological heritage contrary to the criticism occasionally voiced against DB's plans: "From our point of view, the bridge at Brauner Hirsch improves the situation in the tunnel valley. With the planned bridge and the dismantling of the road, not only will the currently existing barrier be removed, but the construction of the structure will also create new lines of sight. You will have a fantastic view of the tunnel valley, which is not available today".

The third core topic, noise protection, was also discussed in detail by the panel members. Janine Korczak, noise protection expert at DB, said: "Reconciling urban development, quality of life and people is a great challenge. We are obliged to protect people and the environment. We are sitting here together with them at the same table to work on ideas and find solutions."

Dialogue between DB and the city continues 
"Together with all of you, we would like to continue to exchange ideas and take you with us on our journey," said Amina Karam as she said goodbye.

"Connecting Europe", connecting people and metropolitan regions - this is not only the motto of the S4. At the exhibition, visitors had the opportunity to get to know various EU-funded projects. The focus lay on forward-looking innovations in transport, infrastructure and traffic as well as environmentally friendly mobility.

S4 Overall Project Manager Amina Karam, who herself speaks fluent French, English, Arabic and German, was on site. During presentations, panel talks and in the exhibition hall, she met with representatives from politics, industry and the European Commission and presented the project together with the City of Hamburg on the European stage. Hamburg's Transport Senator Anjes Tjarks also visited the S4 on site. The high interest showed how important the new suburban railway line on the Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor actually is.

Until the end of June, France hosted the EU Presidency, which is why the exhibition – formerly known as TEN-T-DAYS – was held at the Centre Congrès de Lyon this year. The next Connecting Europe Days are planned for 2024.

Two mega-cranes lift the heavyweight onto new home track.

Experts used a welding machine to free the middle wagon from the rest of the train in the morning. Two cranes lifted the 35-tonne heavyweight onto the truck at Hamburg harbour. Before the truck manoeuvred the 22-metre-long and four-metre-high giant through Hamburg's streets at night with millimetre precision. Two 200-tonne cranes were used at Hammer Straße to lower the truck onto its specially installed 30-metre track.  

Amina Karam, General Project Director: "The wagon is a 'real Hamburger' and has been rolling through the metropolis for many years. We are continuing to use it and are creating a real highlight that should make people look forward to the S4. In the interior, people will find exciting details about the project, construction procedures and learn more about our commitment to nature and mobility change. This is how we want to shorten the waiting time until the first S4 rolls."