APPROVAL of a financing package worth DM605m has cleared the way for two extensions to the Rhein-Main S-Bahn network south of Frankfurt to be completed by the June 2001 timetable change. Work on upgrading German Railway’s two ’Rodgau’ branches began at the end of 1994 (RG 1.95 p14), but progress has been delayed by cost increases from the DM360m budget.
The project covers double-tracking of the 20·5 km Offenbach Ost - Ober-Roden line and 9·8 km of the 10·9 km branch from Offenbach-Bieber to Diezenbach, currently closed to passengers. Both lines will be electrified at 15 kV 16 2??3 Hz to allow the extension of routes S1 to Ober-Roden and S2 to Dietzenbach. The stations will be provided with 960mm high platforms 210m long, and 17 level crossings will be eliminated. o
