The completion date of Project Stuttgart 21, one of Europe’s largest endeavors to modernize railway infrastructure, has been pushed forward by one year, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Timelines for Railway Infrastructure Modernization
Photo: DB

According to the updated schedule presented by Deutsche Bahn (DB), the operational testing of the infrastructure is set to commence in December 2025, with the reconstructed main station of Stuttgart planned for opening in December 2026.

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DB attributes the project delay to the necessity of thorough testing of new equipment, including digitalization systems (Digitaler Knoten Stuttgart, DKS), and the implementation of onboard devices of the European Train Control System (ETCS).

Additionally, the preparation of operational staff plays a crucial role in the successful implementation of the project.

The plan includes phased openings of various parts of the updated infrastructure throughout 2026.

Mid-year, a technical station in Untertürkheim with train parking tracks is scheduled to begin operations.

In September 2026, the introduction of digital train control systems on Stuttgart’s urban railway is planned, followed by the opening of a station for long-distance trains at Stuttgart Airport in December of the same year.

The DKS project also anticipates commencing operations of the first two phases by the end of 2026, positioning Stuttgart as a leading center of modern railway technologies in Europe.

This experience will be leveraged in other major hubs within the DB network, underscoring its strategic importance for the development and modernization of the German railway network.

Photo: DB

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