), supported by the governments of the Kingdom of Prussia and the Grand Duchy of Hesse, decided to solve this problem by building a rail bypass.

The construction of the bypass allows the operation of trains from Frankfurt and Mainz-Bischofsheim freight yard over the Mainz–Ludwigshafen line towards Worms, without reversal in Mainz Hauptbahnhof.

A single-track connecting curve from the former Igelstein junction to the East Rhine Railway has been under construction since early 2011 under the “seaport hinterland transport emergency program” (Sofortprogramms Seehafenhinterlandverkehr).

[3] The curve allows all freight trains through the district of Mainz-Kastel to run via the bypass, avoiding conflict with regional passenger services.

Monuments that will be evaluated under the Hessian Heritage Act include: The northern section of the line, north of Kostheim junction, was and is used almost exclusively for freight traffic.