German Unity Transport Project 8

Line construction in line lot 4

Line lot 4 begins after 251.510 kilometres in the eastern cutting leading to the Osterberg Tunnel and ends after 272.093 kilometres west of the Saale-Elster Viaduct. The line crosses the undulating Querfurt Plateau in this section.

Line lot contains the Stöbnitz Viaduct (251.018 to 251.315 kilometres), which is being completed as a separate construction measure.

New VDE 8.2 line - line construction in line lot 4 in August 2010 (Photo: DB AG)

The line runs largely through cuttings to reduce its impact on the environment to an unavoidable level. Around 1,575 million m³ of soil is being excavated for this. The slopes of the cuttings are being secured by retaining structures for a length of around 2,600 metres. The excavated soil is being used to create earthworks (rail embankments and bridge ramps) in this construction measure or for another purpose. In line lot 4, around 77,000 m² of soil is being used for noise barriers, embankments and bridge ramps. To ensure that these soils are sufficiently stable over the long term, they are improved with binding agents before being used in embankments and bridge ramps. In the course of the earthworks, nine rainwater retention basins are being constructed next to the line, two of which are drainage basins. To create the space required for line construction, a lot of cabling is being rerouted before the actual line construction work begins.

In order to be able to use the capacity of the line to optimum effect in future, overtaking stations are being built at Jüdendorf and Dörstewitz.

Line lot 4 also includes the construction of four railway bridges, 14 road bridges and two overpasses to allow existing branch lines to cross the line.

(Photo: DB AG)

In addition, Wünsch is getting a new bypass, and an existing link to Dörstewitz is being upgraded.

To reduce to the absolute minimum the inconvenience and nuisance caused to local people by the work, a paved construction road with a width of 6 metres is being created next to the new line for the duration of the construction period. On completion of the construction work, the width of this road will be reduced to 3.50 metres. The former construction road will then serve as a road alongside the track and also as a farm track to provide access to the agricultural land adjacent to the line.

Before work started, extensive archaeological excavations were carried out at a total of 15 different sites. The numerous archaeological finds as a result of the excavations have been extensively reported in the local press.