en.Wedoany.com Reported - German railway company Deutsche Bahn (DB) announced that the construction costs for the Stuttgart 21 railway project have risen to 14.5 billion euros. The project will be put into operation in five phases, spanning from December 2027 to December 2033, replacing the previously planned timeline based on a 2026 opening.
An internal audit found deficiencies in the project's processes, controls, coordination, and risk management. The audit concluded that the originally planned operational date at the end of 2026 is not realistically achievable.
DB CEO Evelyn Palla stated that the internal audit results were shocking, noting that they not only deeply concern her but also raise public worries, especially among Stuttgart residents and railway employees serving passengers daily.
The first phase of the project will commence in December 2027, providing shorter walking routes through the historic Bonatz building and the future station roof. Shops and passenger facilities within the building are expected to open by 2028.
The new long-distance railway station at Stuttgart Airport is scheduled to open in December 2030, initially serving regional trains to Reutlingen, Tübingen, and Ulm.
The new underground Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof is planned to begin operations in December 2031. At that time, long-distance trains and most regional services will use this through station, while trains from the Bad Cannstatt direction will continue to use the existing terminal station until mid-2032.
The expanded and digitally equipped S-Bahn main line (including the new Mittnachtstraße/Rosenstein station) is expected to open in July 2032. The final phase will be completed in December 2033, with the commissioning of the Pfaffensteig Tunnel, connecting the Gäubahn to the Stuttgart 21 project via the airport.
DB attributes the cost increase of approximately 3 billion euros to remaining commissioning works, more complex digital signaling systems, insufficient planning maturity, and the need to redesign parts of the power supply facilities.
Palla expressed deep regret over failing to meet expectations for an earlier opening, stating that the new management has developed a plan no longer reliant on unrealistic assumptions.
DB is also restructuring the project organization. Commissioning responsibilities will be centralized under DB Projekt Stuttgart-Ulm, and risk management, escalation procedures, and coordination with DB InfraGO and project partners will also be revised.
