Siemens Transportation Systems (TS) will upgrade the interlocking equipment for two Hamburg metro lines for a total price of approximately 40 million euros. The order placed by Hamburger Hochbahn AG includes modernization of the complete train protection equipment on sections of the U2 and U3 lines.

The control area of the electronic interlocking “City<>East”, which replaces a number of relay interlockings, covers approximately 25 km of double-track metro lines with 28 stations and 6 stabling facilities of varying size. The two remaining remote-controlled interlockings will operate 9 km of double-track metro lines, 9 stations and 3 stabling facilities. The future electronic interlocking and the associated remote control systems will be equipped with a joint user interface. In its final extension, which will be completed in several phases by 2012, the "City<>East" electronic interlocking will control and monitor more than 350 signals and approximately 120 switches.

After successful commissioning of the Farmsen electronic interlocking in June 2004, "City<>East" will be the second large-scale electronic interlocking that Siemens TS has installed for Hamburger Hochbahn.