The Riedbahn, a critical railway link between Frankfurt and Mannheim, has reopened after a five-month closure for extensive renovations.

The €1.3 billion project, completed ahead of schedule, involved replacing 111 kilometers of tracks, 152 switches, and 619 signals, among other upgrades.

Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing praised the effort, calling it a step toward a more reliable railway system.

The project marks the first phase of a broader plan to modernize Germany's rail network, with dozens of similar projects planned by 2031. While long-distance trains will resume immediately, regional and freight services will fully restart by mid-January.

The overhaul aims to reduce delays on one of Germany's busiest rail corridors, which handles 360 trains daily.