Strategically important component of Hesse's transport infrastructure
Paul Georg Wandrey, the mobility officer for the city of Darmstadt, has strongly advocated for the construction of the so-called Wallau Link. He stated that the planned rail connection is of central importance for the efficiency of rail transport in southern Hesse and, in the long term, also for the city of Darmstadt. In his view, the federal government's decision not to implement the already fully planned project for the time being is counterproductive.
"The Wallau bypass is not a dispensable side project, but a strategically important component of Hesse's transport infrastructure," emphasizes Wandrey. The connection plays a key role in the planned Hesse Express, which will provide better rail connections between the science city of Darmstadt and Frankfurt Airport, as well as the state capital Wiesbaden.
This high-performance connection is of great importance, especially for Darmstadt as a center of science and business. Currently, Darmstadt is neither quickly nor efficiently connected to Wiesbaden on the important commuter route, according to Wandrey. This results in a significant loss of transport and economic potential. Without the Wallau bypass, the potential of the Hessen-Express will also be considerably limited. "Anyone who is serious about expanding rail transport cannot call into question key infrastructure components," explains the head of the city's mobility department.
In addition to improved connections, the Wallau bypass will also relieve existing, heavily used lines, thus increasing the reliability of the entire rail network. Given rising passenger numbers and the transport policy objectives of the state of Hesse, further delays in the construction of the fully planned connection would, in his view, send the wrong signal.
“We need more efficient rail,” Wandrey summarizes. “The rapid realization of the Wallau bypass is a win for the Rhine-Main region, for sustainable mobility in Hesse, and for the science city of Darmstadt.”
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/dk)
