Jena, March 10, 2026. Due to upcoming bridge construction work, rail travelers and commuters on the route between Jena and Sachsen-Anhalt must prepare for significant restrictions starting at the end of the week. The construction work requires both train cancellations and rail replacement services (SEV) on the busy north-south axis.
- What: Bridge construction work with single-track operation and line closures
- When: March 13 to July 10, 2026 (full closure on the first weekend)
- Where: Railway line between Jena-Saalbahnhof, Großheringen and Naumburg
- Affected lines: RE 15 (canceled on sections) and RB 25 (temporary rail replacement service)
Months of Schedule Adjustments
The background for the massive restrictions is urgent bridge construction work in the northern section of the route. As announced, the section between Naumburg and Schulpforte or Bad Kösen can only be operated on a single track for several months. This has a direct impact on the connection of the “Lichtstadt” Jena to the regional hub of Naumburg.
As a result, the regular schedule must be comprehensively adjusted from March 13 to July 10, 2026, inclusive. The Regional Express line RE 15 will be completely suspended on the section between Naumburg and the Jenaer Saalbahnhof during this period. To reach their destination, passengers are asked to switch to the Regionalbahn line RB 25, which continues to serve these stations at the regular frequency.
Full Closure and Buses at the Start of Construction
Travelers will be hit particularly hard right at the beginning of the construction measure. To safely set up the work, the section of track between Naumburg and Bad Kösen will be completely closed to train traffic next weekend. The full closure begins on Friday evening, March 13, at 10:00 PM and lasts until Sunday, March 15, inclusive.
During this time, the trains of the RB 25 line, which otherwise serves as a replacement, will also be canceled on the affected section. A rail replacement service with buses will be established to bridge the gap for passengers. Travelers should plan for significantly longer travel times during this period and note the changed connecting services.
Background: The Saalebahn as a Commuter Artery
The railway line along the Saale valley (the so-called Saalebahn) is one of the most important traffic arteries for commuters between Thüringen and Sachsen-Anhalt. It connects Jena not only with the transfer station Großheringen but also ensures supra-regional connections in Naumburg towards Leipzig, Halle and Berlin. Experience shows that construction measures on this route lead to a noticeable shift of traffic to the federal highway B88, which runs parallel to the railway line through the Saale valley. Passengers are strongly advised to consult electronic timetable information in the respective apps before starting their journey, as replacement buses often have different departure times and the transport of bicycles in rail replacement services is generally excluded or severely restricted.
Source:
Restrictions in train traffic
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.