Track replacement postponed: But no major construction site on Potsdam’s Zeppelinstrasse in the summer

Tram passengers to and from Potsdam-West are thus spared weeks of rail replacement service during the holidays – at least for the time being. Because of the planned construction work, motor vehicle traffic from Federal Highway 1 was also planned to be rerouted through residential areas, including via Zwilling-Scholl-Straße.

Trams can continue to run as usual

A replacement of tracks on the route is necessary for reasons of age: the rails on Zeppelinstrasse are around 25 years old, the town hall explained in February. “Maintaining and repairing the sections will be more costly than renovation measures if they remain in operation for a longer period of time.”

The spokeswoman assured on Tuesday that there was no acute danger due to the postponement of the measure: “The tracks can still be used.”

The transport company is now trying to put out a new tender as quickly as possible. If everything works out quickly, construction work could take place in 2027.

Questions about the investment volume of the major project are not being answered because they do not want to influence the new tender, the spokeswoman explained.

It is clear, however, that the delay will also postpone track replacement work on other routes in the west of Potsdam, she made clear. This includes, among other things, Kastanienallee, the section from Kastanienallee towards Pirschheide and the section between Luisenplatz and Auf dem Kiewitt. This was originally planned for 2027 and 2028. When asked, it is not possible to bring these sections forward because tenders are first required, the spokeswoman said when asked.

The first section involves 1,100 meters of tracks

Postponed is not lifted: The massive restrictions mentioned at the beginning are now expected for 2027 – assuming the new tender is successful. As part of the track replacement, the frame track including the covering will first be dismantled over a length of around 1,100 meters. New tracks must then be built, including drainage systems and three platform edges.

This year’s summer holidays will not take place without traffic restrictions. Among other things, the plan is to close two important traffic axes in Babelsberg for roadway work: Großbeerenstrasse between Lutherplatz and Horstweg and Horstweg between Großbeerenstrasse and Dieselstrasse. There is a risk of bottlenecks in the north of Potsdam due to the closure of Nedlitzer Straße and Am Schragen.