Germany – Architectural and Engineering Services for Safety Measures ABS 23 Kehl - Appenweier Stage 2, POS South PfA 2

The POS South PfA 2 project covers the area between km 10.62 and km 13.30 on the route 4260 Kehl - Appenweier in the Ortenaukreis, within the district of Kehl. To achieve the project goals, improvements to the line, the construction of a siding, and the renewal of the B 28 (4260) and Kinzig (4260) overpasses are necessary. At the eastern end of the Kehl station, the track layout will be adjusted so that the outermost track (Track 1) will function continuously as a main line, while the previous main track from the east (Track 3) will become a station track. This adjustment will allow trains to pass through Kehl station at a speed of 160 km/h. The current Track 2, which is only connected on one side and lacks a platform edge, will be dismantled. In addition to the relatively minor adjustments to the track layout, the safety technology will also be adapted to the higher speeds and equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2. Currently, significant shunting movements are taking place at Kehl station on the northern bridge track (main line Appenweier-Kehl). Due to changes in the timetable and the line speed, along with the necessary adjustments to signaling, the available train pauses for shunting operations will be reduced. This would negatively impact operations, which will be mitigated by an additional siding (Track 19) extending eastward. This siding runs parallel to the main tracks and extends beyond the Kinzig. To construct the additional track, the freight tracks in the entrance area to the port will need to be adjusted. In the area of the existing Track 75, three new locomotive storage tracks will be built, replacing tracks (Track 2 and 8) that will be removed elsewhere. To maintain operations during the renewal of existing structures and the implementation of the alignment adjustments for speed increase, the required siding (Track 19) will be temporarily connected to the northern main track and will serve as a detour during construction.