Stuttgart 21 – New Airport Connection

The Stuttgart 21 rail project, which reorganises Stuttgart’s railway hub, is the largest expansion concept for public rail transport in Baden-Württemberg since the 19th century. The new underground transit station in the heart of Stuttgart will be connected by a tunnel to Stuttgart Airport and the planned high-speed rail line to Ulm.

Stuttgart Airport and the Trade Fair Centre are currently accessible only by road and suburban train. With the implementation of planning section 1.3a, both sites will be connected to the Stuttgart–Ulm high-speed railway line via a new station. From the newly constructed line running north of the A8 motorway, a rail branch will be realised as an optional divergence in the form of an approximately 2.2 km-long tunnel beneath the motorway and the airport and trade fair grounds. In the future, the underground station will be located directly opposite the airport’s main terminal and in immediate proximity to the existing Airport / Trade Fair suburban train station.

As part of a joint venture with the engineering company Vössing, CDM Smith is responsible for construction supervision for the approximately 5 km-long airport section (PA 1.3a). Additional tasks include the review of tender documents and design process management with detailed plan reviews. Our extensive review activities and close collaboration with design management and interface coordination ensure the efficient delivery of this major infrastructure project.

"Through our review services, we refined the project specifications and implemented proactive change management, helping to significantly reduce construction costs. "- Sven Möller, Division Director Geotechnics

Construction Progress at Stuttgart 21

In recent years, the majority of the new railway line and the tunnel structures, including the underground station, have been completed. Tunnel boring works for the tunnel tubes, the railway station and the shafts have been finalised, as has the structural shell of the new airport tunnel. All tunnel tubes, shafts, as well as the central and eastern access structures, are therefore structurally complete. The tunnel blocks and platform areas have been finished, too. The project has already entered the next construction phase – interior fit-out – which is currently progressing at full speed.

Stuttgart 21 sets the benchmark for environmentally friendly rail transport and smart urban development.

 Dr Martin Zimmerer, Senior Project Manager