City confirms: Rail delay will not affect completion date
Despite Deutsche Bahn's announced three-year Frankfurt-Heidelberg completion date for the new Rheinstraße bridge in Darmstadt remains unchanged. This was announced by Head of Mobility Paul Georg Wandrey .
“My decision to redesign the Rhine Road Bridge and minimize its dependencies on Deutsche Bahn as much as possible is now paying off,” explains Wandrey. The complete renovation of the railway line was originally planned for 2027 , but has now been postponed to a later date.
Replacement suspension period planned early
Back in December 2023, the city of Darmstadt had already adjusted the project and requested an additional track closure from Deutsche Bahn for a possible demolition of the existing bridge. This alternative timeframe is in the first quarter of 2028 and, according to Wandrey, is already recorded in Deutsche Bahn's internal system. Final approval is still pending but expected.
Project continues as planned
"The planning and tendering process for the bridge construction project is continuing as scheduled – regardless of the changes made by the railway company," Wandrey emphasizes. The necessary track closures for the bridge construction are also currently undergoing the railway company's approval process and are being continuously updated.
The commissioned engineering firm has been tasked with guaranteeing the scheduling of the necessary closures so that the new Rhine road bridge can be put into operation for the tram as planned by 2029 .
Wandrey: "Although the postponement of the railway measures reduces buffer times, the planned completion date is not at risk thanks to early planning."
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
