Local passenger trains and long-distance trains between the cities of Hamburg and Hanover in northern Germany have returned to normal operations after the completion of extensive renovation work.

The entire line between the two cities had been closed to train traffic since May 1 due to renovation work.

The Hamburg-Hanover line is one of the busiest railway lines in Germany, serving as a main artery for long-distance travel between the north and south of the country, daily commutes, and freight transport to and from the Port of Hamburg.

During the closure period, long-distance and freight trains were rerouted, while regional train services were replaced by buses, with limited train services operating on some sections of the line.

A spokesperson for German railway company Deutsche Bahn confirmed that freight services between the two cities resumed overnight.

Load testing on the line will continue in the coming days, with speed restrictions still in place for long-distance trains on some sections until the tests are completed.

The railway network warned that this will lead to longer travel times for passengers, including on regional train services.

Initially, a speed limit of 90 km/h was imposed, and it is expected to be raised to 160 km/h for regional trains on Saturday.

As a result, some trains are still experiencing delays, according to train operator Metronom. Passengers are advised to check departure times before traveling. Long-distance trains are also expected to return to normal speeds starting Tuesday.

Over the past ten weeks, 81 kilometers of track, 44 sets of switches, four stations, and two major railway bridges were renovated along the 163-kilometer line. According to Deutsche Bahn, total investment in the renovation work amounted to around 300 million euros ($342 million).

With these latest improvements, Deutsche Bahn aims to complete urgent work before the line undergoes a comprehensive modernization scheduled for 2029.