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A glimpse into the world of construction

For more punctuality, for more climate protection, for our future.

Why so many constructions?

Currently, the S-Bahn Munich carries around 840,000 passengers to their destinations in and around Munich on a typical workday. Forecasts suggest that by 2040, passenger volume will rise to 1.5 million per day. The increasing demand for eco-friendly mobility is a clear sign of the growing importance of public transport within the mobility transition (Verkehrswende).

At the same time, increased traffic puts more strain on the rail network, leading to a higher need for maintenance. To ensure that many people can continue to use the S-Bahn Munich in the future, a high-performance rail infrastructure characterized by quality and reliability is of central importance. This is why we are heavily expanding the rail network in the Munich hub while simultaneously making the existing infrastructure fit for the future. This takes time, and construction work will accompany the S-Bahn network for many years to come. However, we are making progress every day, making the S-Bahn more reliable and efficient step by step.

Construction is a Team Effort

In addition to the S-Bahn Munich, other Deutsche Bahn companies are actively involved in ensuring that nearly 300 S-Bahn trains can run through the city and region every day.

  • S-Bahn Munich: Operates and maintains the trains on the tracks.

  • DB InfraGO AG: Responsible for modernization and maintenance of the rail infrastructure. This includes tracks, switches, overhead lines, and level crossings, as well as stations with platforms, escalators, and displays.

The vast number of construction measures within the 441 km S-Bahn network requires intensive planning and coordination with significant lead times. We bundle measures as much as possible and, in cooperation with DB InfraGO AG, place great importance on keeping the impact on passengers to a minimum.

Even though we do everything we can to minimize inconvenience, impacts on S-Bahn traffic are unavoidable. The numerous expansion and modernization projects are like interlocking cogs: if certain work cannot be implemented at a specific time, it creates a domino effect that would ultimately result in even greater disruptions. This makes it all the more important for us to provide open and transparent information about modernization and maintenance work.

Maintenance Work Across the S-Bahn Munich Network

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Regular inspections of the infrastructure, such as the tunnel structures on the trunk line (Stammstrecke), are essential. For example, tunnel walls must be checked regularly for cracks. Since a section of the core route runs under the Isar River, we also check whether groundwater has potentially entered the tunnel.

Other minor maintenance tasks include:

  • Switch and rail grinding: Necessary to keep heavily used rails free of irregularities caused by wear and tear.

  • Inspections of command and signaling technology: This includes signals, which act as the "traffic lights of rail transport."

These measures are usually carried out several times a year, primarily during individual nights between 10:30 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Note on short-term measures: Even though we plan and communicate construction work as early as possible, short-term measures may become necessary in exceptional cases. This happens when unforeseen defects occur (e.g., track irregularities that require immediate repair to avoid speed restrictions).

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Major maintenance involves the complete renewal of tracks or switches. Repairs and renewals of overhead lines are also very complex, often requiring work on masts, suspensions, and power lines in addition to the contact wire.

Such large-scale projects usually require a full closure (Totalsperrung) of the respective section. We plan these primarily during off-peak times, such as weekends, nights, or school holidays, to avoid impacting school and commuter traffic.

 

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A key component of modernization is infrastructure expansion, which includes the continuous renovation and revitalization of stations. Barrier-free accessibility is a high priority here.

In the course of the 2nd trunk line (2. Stammstrecke) project, platforms in the Munich area are also being equipped with new announcement and display systems for fast and reliable passenger information. Another example is the planned electronic interlocking (signal box) at Ostbahnhof, which will significantly modernize the command and signaling technology. These measures are also primarily carried out during off-peak periods.

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Extensive construction measures can involve interventions in nature. As Deutsche Bahn, we are actively committed to biodiversity and the preservation of animal and plant species. For the construction of the 2nd Core Route in Munich, numerous compensatory and replacement measures are in place to support species and nature conservation.

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A major goal in planning is to reduce closure times by bundling individual measures. For instance, so-called maintenance windows (IH-Fenster) occur several times a year on the core route, resulting in a temporary closure.

To limit the number of full closures, this year's maintenance window is being combined with:

  • Additional construction work in Laim for the 2nd Core Route.

  • Work on the electronic interlocking at Ostbahnhof.

  • Track bed maintenance and deep cleaning of the platforms along the core route.

An investment in the future

We are building at many different points in the network for a more reliable and powerful S-Bahn. This takes time. Construction work will accompany us for many years as we work at full strength toward a "Strong Rail" (Starke Schiene) for Munich. With a high-performance infrastructure, more people will be able to use the S-Bahn in the future, and together we will make an important contribution to the eco-conscious mobility of tomorrow.

 

Information on our current construction sites