09.10.2025 | Press Release

Extensive refurbishment measures by HGK AG on the route of light rail lines 16 and 17

Cologne. During the autumn holidays, Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG (HGK) is carrying out extensive renovation work on its rail network on the route of light rail lines 16 and 17. Some of the work will be carried out at night. A rail replacement service will be set up.

The upcoming work involves the complex combination of various measures. Among other things, the overhead lines between Cologne-Rodenkirchen and Wesseling will be renewed and cable ducts laid for new signals. Four points will be replaced and rails renewed at Wesseling station. Maintenance work is due at two level crossings. In addition, the existing rails between Godorf and Wesseling and between Urfeld and Widdig will be milled or ground.

"The renovation work was necessary because parts of the infrastructure date back to the 1950s. The facilities are now being modernised in order to continue to guarantee a high safety standard and high availability of our railway infrastructure. As a result, the measures will help to make rail transport even more attractive, also in terms of reducing CO² emissions," explains Berthold Suermann, Head of Network at HGK AG.

The authorising authorities of the responsible municipalities have issued an exemption permit for the construction work. To ensure peace and quiet at night, the work ends at 00:00. In addition, no machines will be used during the night hours that could cause severe noise pollution.

Rail replacement services will be set up during the various construction phases. More detailed information can be found on the websites of the local transport companies KVB and SWB. There will be occasional KVB rail services on the route during this time. These empty runs will be used exclusively to transfer trains to the workshops in Wesseling for maintenance work, among other things.