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Siemensstadt Tops Out as Preparations Begin to Reactivate the Siemensbahn

Extensive inspections will test whether the heritage viaduct can be rehabilitated on schedule with cost and permitting still unresolved.

Overview

  • The first central buildings of the Siemensstadt Square development reached their structural topping-out in a ceremony attended by Siemens and Berlin officials, a milestone reported on Monday, June 29, 2026.
  • Deutsche Bahn has begun preparatory works and launched test fields on the old viaduct to assess rust, deformations and damaged bearings while keeping the structure in overall usable condition.
  • Main reconstruction phases are planned to start in 2027 with station renewals and intensive construction in 2028–2029 and a target reopening of the line in December 2029, subject to engineering findings.
  • Key approvals remain unresolved because the Planfeststellungsverfahren for new Spree bridges and related permits must be completed, although a space dispute with Autobahn GmbH has been settled.
  • Siemensstadt Square will include offices, roughly 3,750 apartments and a 60-meter Siemens Berlin HQ tower and the rail plan assumes frequent service—trains every ten minutes and about 40,000 weekday passengers—while earlier rail cost estimates ran near €880 million.