Construction industry expresses doubts about the schedule for the DB-Modernization-Project
Just before the start of the general overhaul of Deutsche Bahn (DB), the construction industry has expressed doubts about the schedule for the work. While the participating construction companies are on schedule for the initial planned overhaul of the Riedbahn between Frankfurt and Mannheim, but there are no reliable commitments for the other 40 routes that are supposed to be completed by 2031, said Tim-Oliver Müller, managing director of the German Construction Industry Association (HDB), to "Welt am Sonntag".
He considered it "reasonable to extend the entire general overhaul project a little in time", said Müller. Realistic time plans would encourage the companies to further increase their capacities. "The companies can still not make a realistic capacity planning, as politics and DB are not in agreement", said Müller. "I am therefore convinced that not all currently planned 41 corridor renovations will be completed by 2031."
Berthold Huber, responsible for infrastructure at Deutsche Bahn AG, considers the failure of the Riedbahn overhaul, which begins on Monday, to be excluded. "I don't know what could cause the Riedbahn overhaul to fail: There is enough money, the planning is good, the capacities in the construction industry are available", said Huber to "Welt am Sonntag".
"Our goal is to reduce the number of disruptions on the Riedbahn by 80 percent", said Huber. For this reason, the important route between Frankfurt and Mannheim will be closed from Monday for five months.
Despite the construction industry's doubts about the revitalization project's schedule for the 40 additional routes beyond the Riedbahn, managing director Tim-Oliver Müller suggests a revised timeline to accommodate more capacity from participating companies. Despite political and DB disagreements, Müller expresses uncertainty that all 41 corridor renovations will be completed by 2031. Berthold Huber, responsible for infrastructure at DB AG, rejects the possibility of failure in the Riedbahn overhaul, stating that the project is well-funded, planned, and has sufficient construction industry capacities.
