This is the latest in a series of delays in the mega project, which has been under construction for 15 years, also due to huge cost overruns.
Amid various German media reports on the delay, Deutsche Bahn published a brief press statement Given that it recently warned of “deadline risks” for the opening of Stuttgart 21, this is particularly true given the so-called Stuttgart Digital Node (or DKS to use its German-language acronym) aspect of the project.
It is planned to have a digital signaling and security system in the area, in which Japanese company Hitachi is a major partner, which will completely eliminate the old-fashioned light signals.
It said these risks were heightened and delayed during the development and approval phase of the project with the contractor. The company did not commit to any new opening targets or other details, but promised to provide more information as soon as possible.
“In the spirit of maximum transparency, we will inform you as soon as new developments emerge,” Deutsche Bahn wrote. “The risk to the deadline has increased to a level that could not previously be estimated and is now being evaluated with the Supervisory Board. Please understand that we do not want to end that discussion prematurely.”
Stuttgart 21 has been under construction since 2010.
Stuttgart 21 has been one of a series of major German public works projects in recent decades that have become emblematic of budget overruns, delays and controversy.
Conceived in 1994 and first presented to the public as an idea, it was controversial even before the foundation stone was laid.
Construction only began in 2010, amid sharp disagreement over the plans, their implementation, and their environmental credentials. These culminated in violent clashes between protesters and police in September 2010.
The issue was credited as the main campaign point for the Greens, who perhaps opposed rail modernization plans in the 2011 elections in Baden-Württemberg, when Winfried Kretschmann became the party’s first head of state anywhere in Germany. He still remains on this post.
The Greens also held a referendum proposing abandoning the project, not entirely dissimilar to the UK’s recently closed HS2 rail line, but about 59% of participants voted in favor of its continuation.
The initial budget of the project in the planning phase was €2.6 billion (about $3 billion at current exchange rates), which increased to €4.2 billion by the start of construction, and to an estimated €11.3 billion by May this year.
Many reasons given for delay, gradual opening is expected
The original planned opening date was 2019.
After several delays, most recently on Wednesday, and German media reports suggesting that a new date was likely to be revealed at some point in 2027 when Deutsche Bahn commented further – At least for a partial launch.
The rail company had previously anticipated that long-distance high-speed trains, and some local services, would be the first to transfer to the new underground main rail station, with other local services following later.
The project also includes the construction of several other train stations in the Stuttgart region, such as a new long-distance hub at the city’s airport, as well as dozens of kilometers of new tracks, tunnels and bridges.
The company has cited a number of reasons for the various delays, including lawsuits against the project, changing standards on issues such as fire safety, challenging underground geological complexities and permit processes in Stuttgart, and changing laws on environmental issues such as species protection.
Edited by: Wesley Rahn
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