THE troubled Stuttgart 21 project, involving construction of a new underground main station in the southwest German city and 57km of new railway, is facing further delays which are likely to push completion back to at least 2031, local media has reported.
The latest setback involves the apparent need to relay 1000km of signalling cabling. German media suggests that because of multiple delays to the project, construction on which started as long ago as 2010, standards for cabling have been superseded since it was originally laid, meaning new cables now have to be installed.
No opening date for the new station has been put forward by German Rail (DB), which has been leading the delivery of the €14bn project. DB chief executive, Evelyn Palla, has been leading a review of the project and it has become apparent that a much lengthier commissioning period is required. DB has so far refused to comment on the latest reports but says it expects to make an announcement by June 26.
The basic infrastructure for Stuttgart 21 is largely complete although some key sections lack overhead line equipment and implementation of ETCS signalling is behind schedule.
Construction has not yet begun on a new line to connect the Singen - Stuttgart line to the new network at Stuttgart Airport. The German government agreed to provide €1.7bn of funding for the project January. This includes the 10.8km Pfaffensteig Tunnel which is expected to open in 2032. The new section of high-speed line connecting Stuttgart Airport with Wendlingen continuing southeast to Ulm is complete and has been tested with ICE trains.
Digital Node
The delay in commissioning the project, which at one point was expected to partially open this year, has previously been attributed to two main factors: signalling and fire safety. In 2020 it was decided that the new rail network in Stuttgart would be ETCS only and would become Germany’s first Digital Node.
It is now clear that the ETCS programme is behind schedule. Hitachi, which is responsible for delivering the ETCS element of Stuttgart 21 after it bought original contractor Thales, has refuted suggestions that staffing for the project has been reduced, pointing out it has actually recruited more people.
In German federal parliamentary questions in February 2026, the Ministry of Transport (BMV) confirmed that the fire protection and evacuation procedures planned for the new underground station were not finalised and therefore could not be tested.
Recent reports also suggest that the platforms at the new station do not meet the required specification and will require partial reconstruction. Emergency power supplies for the new station also reportedly fail to meet required standards.
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