Project Profile: Stuttgart 21 & Wendlingen-Ulm High-Speed Line

The Stuttgart 21 (S21) project is a comprehensive transport and urban development initiative fundamentally reorganizing the Stuttgart railway node in Germany. It replaces the existing 17-track terminus station with an 8-track underground through-station, integrated with the new 60 km Wendlingen-Ulm high-speed line. This strategic infrastructure enhancement significantly increases network capacity and reduces journey times on the Paris-Bratislava “Magistrale for Europe” corridor.

Technical Specifications

Tunneling & Civil Engineering: The project’s core involves extensive subterranean construction within a dense urban environment. Over 120 km of tunnel tubes are being excavated for both the S21 hub and the Wendlingen-Ulm line, utilizing a combination of advanced Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) and New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) techniques. A key civil engineering structure is the Filstal Bridge (Fils Valley Bridge), an 85-meter-high, 485-meter-long bridge on the Wendlingen-Ulm line, designed for high-speed rail traffic. Project management and execution are heavily reliant on Building Information Modeling (BIM) for clash detection, logistical coordination, and lifecycle management.

Station & Hub Architecture: The new Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof is an eight-track underground through-station engineered to optimize passenger flow and minimize train dwell times. Its defining architectural feature is a series of 28 unique reinforced concrete “chalice pillars” (Kelchstützen) that form the roof structure, each topped with a large “light eye” oculus to allow natural light to illuminate the platform level. This design eliminates the operational bottleneck of the former terminus station, where trains had to reverse direction.

Signaling & Control Systems: The entire S21 network and the Wendlingen-Ulm line are being equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2. This digital, cab-based signaling system enables continuous communication between the train and trackside control centers, allowing for higher operational speeds, shorter headways between trains, and enhanced safety. The implementation of ETCS is a critical component for achieving the project’s capacity and efficiency goals, fully integrating the new infrastructure into Germany’s high-speed network.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Bottleneck Removal: Transforms the Stuttgart Main Station from a terminus to a high-capacity through-station, resolving a major bottleneck in the European rail network and increasing capacity by over 30%.
• Enhanced Connectivity & Reduced Travel Times: The new Wendlingen-Ulm high-speed line cuts the journey time between the two cities by half, from 54 to 28 minutes, significantly improving regional and long-distance connectivity.
• Benchmark for Urban Infrastructure Integration: Serves as a global case study for large-scale railway projects integrated into complex urban fabrics, demonstrating advanced applications of TBM tunneling, BIM, and digital signaling (ETCS).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will Stuttgart 21 be fully operational?

The Stuttgart 21 project, including the new main station and associated lines, is scheduled to begin its commissioning phase in late 2025. Full passenger service and operational integration are anticipated to be completed during 2026.

Who is building the Stuttgart 21 project?

The Stuttgart 21 project is owned and managed by Germany’s national railway company, Deutsche Bahn AG. The physical construction is being carried out by several large engineering and construction consortia, including major firms like Ed. Züblin AG and Porr, who are responsible for different sections such as tunneling and station construction.