The route layout of the tunnel system on the North-South Link will affect numerous buildings, particularly those on Potsdamer Platz and in the Government District. This has made it necessary to implement special measures in these areas to protect the buildings against the effects of vibrations and secondary airborne noise from railway operations. The most effective way to achieve this is by using what is known as a mass-spring system.

The track superstructure is mounted on a resilient bearing plate, which provides a decoupling of the track superstructure and subsoil, and thus leads to a significant reduction in vibrations in the subsoil induced by railway operations.

In the tunnel and in the station area, the tracks are not embedded in ballast, but in concrete. This ballastless track has a large number of advantages over a ballast bed. It reduces maintenance expense, has a longer useful life, and improves track alignment, in addition to enhancing the smooth running of the vehicles. 

Facts and figures:

Cabling: 170 km
Catenary system: 15 km
Electronic signal boxes: 1
Signals: 74
Switches: 52