Third construction phase in front of International House nearing completion – tram service resumed on time for the start of the school year after a five-week break
Tram service has resumed in the area in front of the International House of TU Darmstadt and the Golden Crown building . This means tram service was able to restart even before the scheduled completion of the third construction phase on Friday, August 28, 2026. According to the City of Darmstadt, the five-week interruption was thus ended in time for the end of the summer holidays.
Overall, work on the track and adjacent areas was carried out under intense time pressure over the past eleven weeks. This included, among other things, the installation of a temporary overhead contact line system, the dismantling of existing overhead contact line masts and anchorages, and the construction and commissioning of three new overhead contact line masts.
The tram is running again on time for the start of school
In addition, new pipe connections for switch boxes as well as for rainwater and wastewater were installed, and further installations necessary for tram operation were carried out.
"The resumption of tram services after a five-week break was able to take place on schedule at the end of the summer holidays. This ensured that school transport was not affected," explains transport officer Paul Georg Wandrey.
The area in front of the Golden Crown has also changed. The existing retaining wall was dismantled with minimal vibration to protect the listed building and replaced with a new wall.
More space in front of the Golden Crown
The repositioning of the retaining wall will create more space for guests of the Golden Crown in the future. At the same time, according to the city, a separate traffic area for pedestrians and cyclists will be created, distinct from the railway tracks.
Once the landscaping is complete, this area will become an important barrier-free connection between the castle and Schustergasse/Holzstraße. Until then, the area opened up for the construction of the new retaining wall will remain usable with a temporary asphalt surface layer.
"The new location of the wall will create more space for guests in front of the Golden Crown. At the same time, a safe traffic area for pedestrians and cyclists is being created, separated from the railway track," said Wandrey.
Seating steps, a new railing and an additional tree are planned
The completion of the third construction phase does not yet mark the end of the overall project. Further design and functional measures are planned based on a city council resolution from 2025.
The current temporary railing on the retaining wall will be replaced with a permanent metal railing. Plans also include seating steps along the retaining wall and making the area in front of the International House and the Golden Crown accessible for people with disabilities.
New seating will be installed and an additional tree planted in front of the International House. According to the city, the final design of the public space will take place after the remaining necessary construction work has been completed.
“With the completion of the third construction phase, another important step has been taken in the redesign of the area in front of the International House and the Golden Crown,” explains Wandrey.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
