Vehicle congestion - Update: Deutsche Bahn delays the launch of Stuttgart 21.
The German train network (Deutsche Bahn) has pushed back the launch of the fresh Stuttgart main station till December 2026, as indicated by a story provided by "Spiegel." Considered as the most contentious train project in Germany, this delay implies another year of waiting, based on insiders from the train company.
Reports in supervisory boards confirmed that completely launching Stuttgart 21 in 2025 was impossible. A spokesperson from the train company said they'd provide updated details regarding the 2026 schedule as planned, though nothing specific was announced before.
A steering committee meeting for the Stuttgart 21 railway project happens in Stuttgart on Tuesday, where the train company will provide partner organizations with information about its 2026 launch plan. The spokesperson confirmed in mid-May that timetable information from 2026 would be given at this meeting.
Stuttgart 21 aims to refurbish the railway intersection in Stuttgart.
For some time, it was uncertain when the new station would become active. The train company proclaimed in March that the current Stuttgart central station would stay operational until at least 2026. Initially, it was designed to be replaced by the new underground station in December 2025. However, the railway must determine if and how trains will run through the new underground station from December 2025 onwards 18 months ahead of the new timetable, which is June 2024 for the timetable change in December 2025.
Stuttgart 21 encompasses more than just building the new central station in the state capital, it also consists of extensively reworking the Stuttgart railway intersection. This involves new rail sites, including a fresh long-distance station by the airport, plus many kilometers of train lines, tunnel tubes, intersections, and bridges. The Stuttgart-Ulm train project encompasses Stuttgart 21 and the 2022 unveiling of the already-opened high-speed Wendlingen-Ulm railway line. The gist of Stuttgart 21 consists of constructing a through station, contrasting the previous terminal station.
Budgets skyrocket
The train company, officially the project's builder, put the Stuttgart 21 cost estimate at approximately 11 billion euros with a backup of around 500 million euros. In the past, substantial cost spikes have occurred. The DB is responsible for the additional 6.5 billion euros in costs, as established by a court ruling.
Apart from the railway businesses, the Administrative Court of Stuttgart dismissed lawsuits filed by several railway firms against the state of Baden-Württemberg, the city of Stuttgart, the Regional Association Stuttgart, and Stuttgart Airport back in May. With the lawsuits, the DB aimed to pressure the project partners to share the additional expenses.
