U3 Saarlandstraße

Since early 2024, work has been underway to make one of the oldest stations in Hamburg's underground network barrier-free: at the Saarlandstraße U3 station, which opened in 1912, it was clear from the outset that the historic building fabric could present us with tricky challenges. During the work, previously unseen war damage was discovered, including deformations in steel components, cracks in masonry and moisture damage in wooden components. We integrated the urgently needed repairs directly into the ongoing construction work. However, this has made the work much more complex than expected and hoped for. The careful renovation of the historic building requires tact, time and attention to detail. The commissioning of the lifts has therefore been divided into two parts:

• The lift towards Barmbek is in operation:

  The stop has been accessible since December 2025. Passengers travelling from Barmbek who require a lift should travel to Borgweg and then take the train in the opposite direction to get off at U Saarlandstraße, where they can access the station barrier-free.

• Commissioning of the lift towards Borgweg: summer 2026.

Until completion, we will also carry out the following work while the underground station remains in operation:

• Replacement of windows in the second stairwell

• New ceiling and lighting in the ticket halls

• Creation of the historic entrance under the bridge as a permanent addition to the main entrance

We have already completed the following:

• Extension of the platforms to 125 metres

• New roofs for both stairwells

• Extensive track construction and switch work

• Renovation of the main ticket hall and the first stairwell in accordance with monument protection regulations

Visible progress towards a barrier-free station: the main switch hall and the lift there are already complete. Meanwhile, work on the second lift is underway. With the steel structure now in place, the station is a big step closer to being fully barrier-free by its planned opening in the summer.

By summer 2026, the station will be completely barrier-free for its more than 11,000 daily passengers. With this station, a total of 98 percent of our underground stations will have an lift per platform, a tactile guidance system and (partially) raised platforms for level entry and exit.

The barrier-free station expansion is being funded by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.

A look back: The history of the Saarlandstraße stop

Originally opened in 1912 as ‘Flurstraße’, it later became an important transport hub. It was renamed ‘Stadtpark’ in 1924, followed by an extensive extension in 1927 according to the plans of architect Walter Puritz. This included a second platform and a spacious entrance building. A unique feature of the HOCHBAHN network to this day is that each platform can only serve one direction of travel. In 1970, the station was given its final name ‘Saarlandstraße’ to avoid confusion with the S-Bahn station of the same name. We last built at the stop in 2012 and took the first steps towards accessibility at that time.

Questions or concerns about the project? Please get in touch!

Either here via our contact form or by calling our HOCHBAHN customer dialogue on 040/32 88-27 23.