Further increase in costs
Stuttgart 21 is getting more expensive and more expensive and more expensive
December 7, 2023, 12:59 p.m
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Stuttgart 21 has been in the construction phase since 2010. The controversial train station project is not only regularly delayed, but also more expensive. It will be a financial burden, especially for Deutsche Bahn.
The costs for the controversial Stuttgart 21 train station project continue to rise rapidly. According to statements from Deutsche Bahn circles, the project will become more expensive by a further 1.8 billion euros to around eleven billion euros. In addition, a buffer of another 500 million euros is planned, which means the financing framework is almost 11.5 billion euros, people familiar with the figures told the Reuters news agency. This resulted in a new cost estimate. This means that the price for the mammoth project will more than double compared to the calculation at the start of construction in 2010.
The railway most recently increased its estimate to almost 9.2 billion euros at the beginning of 2022. A railway spokesman did not want to comment on the figures. However, he emphasized that the start date for the station is sticking to the end of 2025. The management cited the general increase in construction costs, especially in the last two years, as the reason for the additional costs, said an insider. An increase of around 30 percent was recorded here. The start date of 2025 is also considered extremely ambitious internally, but it is still hoped that at least core elements of the project will be ready for operation in two years.
Critic: Costs are disproportionate to benefits
Stuttgart 21 essentially envisages relocating the Stuttgart terminus station underground and connecting it to high-speed routes through tunnels. Stuttgart Airport will also have such a connection. At the location of the current station, the areas in the Stuttgart valley basin are to be used, among other things, for apartments.
The project was already highly controversial in the planning phase. Critics objected that the costs were disproportionate to the benefits for traffic. After construction began, demonstrators and police repeatedly clashed, resulting in many injuries. The protests, some with well over 50,000 people, ultimately led to a referendum in 2011 throughout Baden-Württemberg. At that time, around 60 percent were in favor of further construction. The Federal Audit Office repeatedly criticized the cost estimates and control of the project. The Ministry of Transport controls too laxly and the financial risks are underestimated. The federal government must be liable in case of doubt.
Originally, the railway, federal government, the state of Baden-Württemberg and Stuttgart Airport wanted to share the costs – based on an agreement and calculations before construction began. The partners of Deutsche Bahn refused to contribute to the additional costs, which were constantly increasing. The state-owned company, which is now more than 30 billion euros in debt, must first raise the additional billions itself. The opening date has also been pushed back further and further. Shortly after construction began, there was talk of 2019. In 2018 the starting point until December 2025 was named.