Riedbahn Renovation Costs Exceed 1.5 Billion Euros, DB Reports

The extensive renovation of the Riedbahn corridor, linking Frankfurt and Mannheim, has incurred costs amounting to 1.506 billion euros, more than double the initial budget estimates. This significant figure emerged from an internal report from the Federal Ministry of Transport, which was presented to the Transport Committee of the Bundestag.

Originally projected to cost around 610 million euros, the expenses surged due to various factors, including inadequate competition within the railway construction sector, which was unprepared for such a large-scale project. The report highlighted a notable lack of participation from construction firms, contributing to the budget overruns.

The renovation took place from July to December 2024 and represents the first of approximately 40 scheduled upgrades for critical corridor routes across Germany. Despite the financial challenges, the project has seen several positive outcomes, including the successful implementation of a comprehensive track closure for the renovation process.

Specific improvements achieved during the renovation include the replacement of 111.5 kilometers of track, 110 switches, 130.6 kilometers of overhead lines, and upgrades to 20 stations. The quality of the replacement bus services provided during the construction phase has also received commendations, although exact costs for this service were not disclosed.

However, challenges remain, particularly with the rollout of the European Train Control System (ETCS), designed to allow for faster train sequences. The system's initial launch was delayed, with full operation not expected until the end of June, six months behind schedule.

While the new approach of fully closing sections of the railway for simultaneous upgrades has shown promise, the report cautions that the feasibility of conducting up to five simultaneous major renovations on routes exceeding 100 kilometers remains uncertain. Discussions are ongoing between the Ministry and DB InfraGo AG regarding the future of these projects, with concerns raised about financing multiple large-scale renovations without impacting other investment initiatives.

As preparations for additional renovations continue, the ministry is closely monitoring the capacity of the construction industry to meet these demands. There is an ongoing assessment of whether the strategy of total closures yields better results compared to traditional methods of maintaining operations during upgrades.