Topping-out ceremony for the Stuttgart Airport long-distance train station

On October 11, 2024, Deutsche Bahn celebrates the topping-out ceremony for the future long-distance and regional train station at the airport and Landesmesse. The shell of the new station's central access building is completed.

First light eyes completed

Daylight in the future main station: on July 2, 2024, Deutsche Bahn will present the unobstructed view through one of the first completed light eyes. Façade specialist seele is building up to ten of the steel and glass masterpieces at the same time.

Building permit applied for for Pfaffensteig tunnel

On April 5, 2024, Deutsche Bahn submits the planning approval documents for the construction of the Pfaffensteig Tunnel to the Federal Railway Authority. With the building permit applied for, the first step has been taken to connect the Gäubahn from Böblingen to the new Stuttgart rail hub in the future.

Tunnel for the large Wendlinger curve completed

On February 20, 2024, the tunnel for the large Wendlinger Kurve will be completed. The Small and Large Wendlingen Curves connect the existing Stuttgart-Tübingen railroad line with the high-speed line on the Filder plain being built as part of Stuttgart 21.

Financing framework for Stuttgart 21 amounts to 11.453 billion euros

On December 19, 2023, Deutsche Bahn informs the project partners about the new total value of the project of 10.953 billion euros. The financing framework, including a 500 million euro risk buffer, now amounts to 11.453 billion euros.

Closing the gap in track construction for Stuttgart 21

Deutsche Bahn will close the last gap in the new high-speed line between Stuttgart and Ulm on December 5, 2023. There is now a continuous track connection from Ulm main station to directly in front of the future through station in the state capital.

Platform hall shell completed

On November 28, 2023, Deutsche Bahn concreted the last ceiling section of the platform hall of the future Stuttgart main station. The roof is now closed and the shell of the platform hall is complete.

Urban development framework plan adopted

The Committee for Urban Development and Technology of the City of Stuttgart adopts the framework plan for Stuttgart Rosenstein on October 17, 2023. The planning is based on the winning design of the urban planning competition by the asp Architekten and Koeber Landschaftsarchitektur consortium.

All tunnels successfully driven

Deutsche Bahn celebrates the final tunnel breakthrough of Stuttgart 21 in the new airport tunnel on September 14, 2023. All tunnels of the project are completed in the shell. In total, the miners have dug around 56 kilometers of tunnel.

Concreting the last chalice support

On June 3, 2023, Deutsche Bahn concreted the last of the 28 chalice-shaped columns at Stuttgart Central Station. The uniquely shaped concrete works of art form the roof of the new platform hall.

Tunnel excavation for the large Wendlinger curve begins

Deutsche Bahn will begin driving the tunnel for the large Wendlinger Kurve on March 30, 2023. Together with the Small Wendlingen Curve, this connects the existing Stuttgart-Tübingen railroad line with the infrastructure being built as part of Stuttgart 21.

Commissioning of the Wendlingen-Ulm high-speed line

The Wendlingen-Ulm high-speed line will go into operation on December 11, 2022. It will enable new and faster connections in regional and long-distance transport.

All tunnels in the Stuttgart basin completed

On October 5, 2022, all the tunnels for Stuttgart 21 in the basin of the state capital will have been successfully driven. In total, the miners have dug around 51 kilometers of tunnel.

Way clear for the Pfaffensteig tunnel

On July 18, 2022, the project partners in the steering committee clear the way for the construction of the Pfaffensteig Tunnel. This will be a good 11 kilometers long and connect the Gaeubahn to Stuttgart Airport.

Start of construction sidings station

Deutsche Bahn will start construction work on the new stabling yard on July 5, 2022. This is being built on the site of the former marshalling yard in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim.

New cost framework Stuttgart 21

On March 18, 2022, Deutsche Bahn AG announces that the financing framework for Stuttgart 21 currently approved by its Supervisory Board now amounts to 9.79 billion euros. This includes a supplementary provision of €0.64 billion.

Closing the gap in track construction on the high-speed line

On October 27, 2021, the gap in the track construction for the high-speed line will be closed on the Filstal Bridge. A good year before commissioning, there is now a complete direct rail connection between Wendlingen and Ulm. Almost 120 kilometers of track have been laid - track construction is almost complete.

First rails for Stuttgart 21

The first rails for Stuttgart 21 will be delivered to the Feuerbach tunnel on October 12, 2021. Track construction is now starting there. The more than 50 kilometers of tunnels for Stuttgart 21 in the Stuttgart basin have almost been dug.

Bridge building over the Filstal

On July 14, 2021, representatives of the project partners and the construction company are convinced of the successful bridge construction over the Filstal valley. At 85 meters, the Filstal Bridge is the third-highest railroad bridge in Germany. It forms the centerpiece of the Wendlingen-Ulm high-speed line.

First overhead line mast for Stuttgart 21

Deutsche Bahn will erect the first overhead line pylon for Stuttgart 21 near Denkendorf on June 2, 2021, marking an important milestone on the way to commissioning the project.

Opening Neckar footbridge

On April 20, 2021, the Stuttgart-Ulm rail project association will open the Neckar footbridge with representatives of the state capital, Deutsche Bahn, the construction company Max Bögl and the ADFC cycling association. The bicycle and pedestrian footbridge attached under the Neckar Bridge is around 4.5 meters wide, almost 170 meters long and runs at a height of over six meters above the Neckar. The footbridge creates an important and environmentally friendly connection between downtown Stuttgart and Bad Cannstatt.

Mountain feast goblet supports

On February 27, 2021, Deutsche Bahn will pour the 14th goblet support for the future Stuttgart Central Station. This means that half of the goblet supports are in place. These uniquely shaped works of art made of concrete form the roof of the new platform hall.

Installation of the first overhead line on the high-speed line

Installation of the first overhead line for the approximately 60-kilometer Wendlingen-Ulm high-speed line begins on November 3, 2020.

Rosenstein suburban rail tunnel breakthrough

The project partners will celebrate the breakthrough of the Rosenstein urban rail tunnel on October 19, 2020.
This is 1,170 meters long. It connects the new Neckar Bridge in Bad Cannstatt with the new Mittnachtstraße S-Bahn station.

The Nesenbach culvert goes into operation

The Nesenbach culvert will be connected to Stuttgart's wastewater network on October 16, 2020, after a construction period of around five years. The culvert carries the state capital's largest sewer under the platform hall of the future main station.

Opening of the new "Staatsgalerie" light rail stop

The new "Staatsgalerie" light rail stop will go into operation on September 12, 2020. It replaces the previous station. The new stop is three meters higher and 30 meters further west.

Start of tunnel driving at the airport

The project partners celebrate the start of tunnel driving at the airport on July 20, 2020. With the high-speed line and the airport railway station on the Fildern, the first part of a transport hub for Baden-Württemberg will be built by the end of 2025.

Breakthrough tunnel Feuerbach

On June 5, 2020, Deutsche Bahn will complete driving of the 3,026-meter Feuerbach Tunnel. This connects the existing rail lines from the direction of Mannheim and Karlsruhe with Stuttgart's future main station.

Breakthrough last tube of the Filder Tunnel

With the breakthrough of the east tube of the 9.5-kilometer-long Filder Tunnel on May 6, 2020, the last of four tunnel tubes will arrive at Stuttgart's future main station. The connection between the Filder plain in the south of Stuttgart and the Stuttgart basin will then be complete.

Bad Cannstatt tunnel completed

On February 17, 2020, Deutsche Bahn will successfully complete driving of the 3.5-kilometer Bad Cannstatt tunnel. The breakthrough will take place under Rosensteinpark at a depth of around 13 meters. The miners had been digging the tunnel from various points since March 2014.

Railroad strikes through from the south with first tunnel tube to main station

The railroad arrives at Stuttgart's future main station on February 11, 2020, driving the tunnel from the south. The miners are cutting the first of two tubes at the southern head of the future main station. Driving took just under 15 months.

Stuttgart becomes pilot node of Digital Rail Germany

On January 31, 2020, German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer announces that the core of the Stuttgart rail hub will be equipped with ETCS and other technologies by the end of 2025. This will allow many more trains to run. This will make Stuttgart the pilot node for Digital Rail Germany.

Denkendorf tunnel shell completed

On December 14, 2019, the shell of the Denkendorf tunnel in the Filder region will be completed. Highway 8 had to be relocated several times. Now it is back in its original position.

S-Bahn tunnel cut under the Rosensteinpark

November 28, 2019: After five months, the miners have finished driving the double-track section of the Rosenstein urban rail tunnel. The S-Bahn tunnel is being built from two directions using the mining method. S-Bahn trains will run in the tunnel between the Neckar Bridge in Bad Cannstatt and the Mittnachtstraße S-Bahn stop.

Tunnel Untertürkheim: Both tubes cut through

On November 15, 2019, Deutsche Bahn will reach an important milestone: The miners will be able to excavate the first of two tubes of the Untertürkheim tunnel in the area of the future rail yard. It took around two years to drive the tunnel. On December 16, the tunnelers succeed in breaking through the second tube.

Machine driving completed at the Filder Tunnel

The "Suse" machine finishes its work. Deutsche Bahn will celebrate this milestone in the construction of the Filder Tunnel with guests of honor on September 9, 2019. With the end of machine driving at the Filder Tunnel, around 110 of 120 kilometers of tunnel tubes in the Stuttgart-Ulm rail project have been driven.

Albvorland Tunnel: End of machine tunneling

The "Sibylle" tunnel boring machine will finish its work on August 11, 2019: In a good 1.5 years, it has dug around 7,700 meters of the north tube of the Albvorland Tunnel. The second machine, "WANDA," will also reach its destination on October 29, 2019.

Last driven pile set for the main station

The last of 2,000 driven piles will be in the ground on August 8, 2019. Together with the base plate, they will later form the foundation of the main station. The future station with its 28 goblet supports stands entirely on these driven piles. Both the floor slab and the driven piles will later bear the loads of the platform hall.

Rails are laid on the Alb plateau: Construction of the first meters of slab track on open track

On August 7, 2019, the railroad will celebrate the start of construction of the first meters of slab track on open track, directly in front of the Alb Abstieg Tunnel, with the "Schwäbische Alb" railroad technology consortium.

Urban planning competition Rosenstein

The Rosenstein urban planning competition ends on July 22, 2019. The jury selects the revised design of the offices "ASP Architekten/Koeber Landschaftsarchitektur" (Stuttgart) as the winner. Thus, the design is decisive for the new Stuttgart district.

Realization and Financing Contract Large Wendlinger Curve
Financing for the second track of the Wendlinger Kurve is in place on May 3, 2019: State Transport Minister Winfried Hermann and DB Board Member for Infrastructure Ronald Pofalla sign the contract. The first work begins soon. The Wendlinger Große Kurve is being built at the interface between the Stuttgart-Ulm high-speed line and the Neckartalbahn in the direction of Reutlingen/Tübingen. It is considered an important addition to the infrastructure.

Foundation stone for Merklingen station

The project partners will lay the foundation stone for Merklingen station in the Swabian Alb on March 30, 2019. Present are

• Minister of Transport Winfried Hermann,
• Representative of Deutsche Bahn,
• executing construction companies and
• municipal elected officials.

The preparatory work has been visible since 2017. Extensive earthworks were carried out for the high-speed line and in the area of the new station.

Shell of first section of high-speed rail line completed

The approximately 30-kilometer section between Ulm and Merklingen is the first part of the rail project to be completed in one piece on December 20, 2018. The 120-meter rails are delivered. At the same time, workers are erecting the catenary masts. The first of 800 masts is placed on December 12, 2018.

First chalice support shell finished

On October 20, 2018, the railroad concretes the first of the 28 cup supports for the main station. This means that the shell of the first, approximately twelve-meter-high part of the future roof with the opening for a light eye is complete.

Neckar river crossed with all four tunnel tubes underneath

October 2, 2018: Deutsche Bahn has successfully tunnelled under the Neckar with all four tubes. The tunnel under the Neckar connects the future main station with the existing tracks in the direction of Obertürkheim. It also connects the future stabling station in Untertürkheim.

Neckar Bridge: Tact shifting work successfully completed

On August 9, 2018, Deutsche Bahn reaches an important milestone in the construction of the Neckar Bridge in Stuttgart: the last cycle of the bridge is successfully completed.
The steel sails of the bridge are pushed into their final position. This takes around three hours. Around 3,100 tons of steel are moved about 15 meters. The steel sails will leave their mark on the cityscape.
In total, the now completed part of the bridge was built and advanced in twelve sections. The first cycle was in August 2017.

West tube of the Filder Tunnel completely excavated

On August 7, 2018, the railroad reaches an important interim goal at the south end of the future main station: jacking machine "Suse" has mastered its third shield run. It arrives in the Stuttgart basin. The west tunnel of the 9,468-meter-long Filder Tunnel is now completely excavated.

Breakthrough tunnel Feuerbach

On July 17, 2018, Deutsche Bahn celebrates the breakthrough in the second tube of the Feuerbach tunnel with guests of honor. This means that the last of four tubes has also arrived at the north end of the main station. There, the two tubes of the Bad Cannstatt tunnel and the two of the Feuerbach tunnel connect.

Obertürkheim tunnel breakthrough

On June 20, 2018, DB Projekt Stuttgart-Ulm GmbH achieves the second breakthrough during construction of the Obertürkheim tunnel. The west tube of the tunnel was already driven through in March 2017. After a total of around 3,500 meters, the miners are now also driving the last meter of the east tunnel.

Penetration Boßlertunnel

The railroad celebrates the breakthrough of the second tube of the Boßler Tunnel with guests of honor on June 8, 2018.

Tunnel on the Alb descent shell completed

The construction companies finish the shell of the Albabstieg Tunnel on May 9, 2018. They pour the last of 945 blocks of the inner shell.

Cost increase and time delay

On January 26, 2018, Deutsche Bahn announces that the Stuttgart-Ulm rail project will be more expensive than planned. In addition, it will be completed later.

Stuttgart 21: The Deutsche Bahn Board of Management proposes to set the total value at 7.705 billion euros. The project is scheduled to go into operation in 2025.

The reasons for the higher costs are:

• Construction prices have risen sharply.
• Tunneling in anhydrite is much more complex.
• Species protection makes permitting procedures more extensive.
• The project will not go into operation until 2025.

Wendlingen-Ulm high-speed line:

The cost forecast rises to 3.703 billion euros. Completion postponed by one year to 2022.

Steinbühl tunnel shell completed

On November 20, 2017, workers concreted the last of 777 blocks of the inner shell of the Steinbühl Tunnel. This makes it the first major tunnel on the Wendlingen-Ulm high-speed line to be completed in its shell.

Christening and start of construction of Albvorland Tunnel

Deutsche Bahn celebrates the start of construction of the Albvorland Tunnel with guests of honor on October 06, 2017. The tunnel and the two tunnelling machines are symbolically christened.

First bridge cycle pushed across the Neckar River
Construction companies push the first section of the new Neckar Bridge across the river in Stuttgart on August 14, 2017. This cycle push is the first of a total of twelve during construction of the bridge.

Federal Railway Directorate "floats

The railroad can begin excavation for the station trough at the northern head of the valley crossing on July 27, 2017. For this purpose, it has temporarily placed the former Federal Railway Headquarters on stilts. This is one of the most technically difficult measures in the project.
In the future, trains will roll under the building into the new main station.

Construction of the first chalice supports begins

Construction work will begin in two phases at the station on March 20, 2017. They are the trademark of the new Stuttgart Central Station.

First breakthrough in the Stuttgart 21 project

On 19.12.2016, the Bad Cannstatt tunnel is cut through. The construction time was only 33 months. The 3,507-meter tunnel connects Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt station with the new main station.

Penetration at the Alb descent

On November 22, 2016, the project partners celebrate the breakthrough of the eastern tube of the Albabstieg Tunnel in Ulm. The high-speed line runs in the 5,940-metre-long tunnel from the plateau of the Swabian Alb down to Ulm Central Station.

First breakthrough of the Boßler tunnel in the Filstal valley

The tunnel boring machine "Käthchen" reaches an important milestone on November 6, 2016: After 8,806 meters, it arrives in the Filstal valley. "Käthchen" has thus completely driven the first tube of the Boßler Tunnel.

Laying of the foundation stone for the new main station

On September 16, 2016, the foundation stone of the main station will be laid. The symbolic act takes place on the first concreted section of the floor slab. Stuttgart's new main station is the central structure of the Stuttgart-Ulm rail project.

Informal citizen participation Rosenstein

In 2016, the city of Stuttgart discusses the future of the future neighborhood with citizens in the "Informal Rosenstein Citizen Participation". The outcome is the "Rosenstein Memorandum". It contains all those aspects that are important to the citizens for the development of the neighborhood and for living together in Stuttgart. The memorandum contains so-called guard rails as recommendations. These serve as a basis for further planning, participation and decision-making processes.

Neckar underpassed for the first time with traffic tunnel

DB Projekt Stuttgart-Ulm GmbH is crossing under the Neckar River for the first time during construction of the Obertürkheim Tunnel. It is the first traffic tunnel ever to pass under this river.

Court ruling on police action

At the end of 2015, a court rules that the police's dispersal of the assembly on Sept. 30, 2010, in the Mittlerer Schlossgarten was unlawful.

Penetration at the Steinbühl Tunnel

Six months earlier than planned, the breakthrough of the Steinbühl Tunnel will be celebrated in Hohenstadt on November 6, 2015. This marks the completion of the mining work on the first of the eight major tunnels of the rail project.

Second tunnel boring machine goes into operation

"Käthchen" is the name of the machine for building the Boßlertunnnel. It will start work on April 14, 2015. In the first section, the machine digs the east tunnel. This is where the Ulm-Stuttgart line track will later be located. It starts at the Aichelberg portal. From there, the Alb goes uphill.

Agreement on "third track" variant at airport

On March 6, 2015, the partners in the S21 project agree on the "third track" variant for the Filderbahnhof station at the airport. The parties involved are:

• the DB Board Member for Infrastructure, Dr. Volker Kefer
• the S21 project manager Manfred Leger
• the Minister of Transport of the state, Winfried Hermann
• Stuttgart's Lord Mayor Fritz Kuhn and
• Regional President Thomas Bopp.

Federal Railroad Administration approves 7th plan amendment for groundwater management.

The Federal Railway Authority (EBA) approves the 7th plan amendment for groundwater management on September 23, 2014.

This will enable DB Netz AG to hold 6.8 million cubic meters of groundwater in the station area over the entire construction period. This water is collected in the excavation pits. It is extracted, cleaned and returned to the ground.

Archaeological finds in the Middle Palace Garden

Archaeologists dig in the construction field. They discover various archaeological finds in August 2014:

• a channel formed by stone slabs, probably from the 17th century
• several ovens from the Roman period and
• Remains of early Halamannic houses from the 3rd/4th century.

Work for the station trough starts

Construction of the station trough will start on August 5, 2014. This is 900 meters long, 80 meters wide and up to 16 meters deep from the south to the north end. The trough is being built in 25 sections.

Ceremonial start of construction for the Filder Tunnel

On July 10, 2014, project participants and guests of honor celebrate the start of construction of the Filder Tunnel with a tunnel christening ceremony and a symbolic tunnel stop. It is 9.5 kilometers long and will be excavated by mining. A 120-meter-long, 4,200-kilowatt (5,700-hp) tunnel boring machine is being used. A small section in the middle of the tunnel is being excavated conventionally. This means they are excavating, chiseling or blasting.

Ceremonial start of construction for the Albabstieg tunnel

Project partners and contractors celebrate the stop of the Albabstieg Tunnel with a christening ceremony on June 23, 2014.

Tunnel christening of the Ober-/Untertürkheim feeder line

A tunnel christening ceremony on December 4, 2013 marks the symbolic start of construction work on the first tunnel of Stuttgart 21. Construction work on the tunnel entrance to Ober- and Untertürkheim begins. December 4 is an important date for the tunnel builders. It is the holiday in honor of St. Barbara. She is the patron saint of miners and tunnel builders.

Tunnel christening of the Albaufstieg

The ceremonial kick-off for the tunnel construction of the Wendlingen-Ulm high-speed line will take place on July 19, 2013, when the Steinbühl Tunnel will be opened in Hohenstadt. It is also the tunnel christening ceremony for the Albaufstieg. From the engineers' point of view, this is the heart of the future 60-kilometer high-speed line.

Increase in the S21 funding framework

On March 5, 2013, the Supervisory Board approves raising the maximum sum for S21 to up to 6.526 billion euros. This is subject to the proviso that the state and city have a share in it.

Filder Dialog

The Filder Dialog S21 takes place in summer 2012. In addition to Deutsche Bahn's proposed route, the participants discuss six variants for the airport area (PFA 1.3). As a result, they recommend that the airport road variant be examined in greater depth. In the end, this variant fails. The project partners are not prepared to finance the additional costs. Deutsche Bahn draws the consequences: it returns to the procedure for approving the original application route.

Groundbreaking ceremony for high-speed line

Construction of the Wendlingen-Ulm high-speed line begins with an official ground-breaking ceremony near Dornstadt.

Start of construction of technical building

Construction of an underground engineering building begins at Kurt-Georg-Kiesinger-Platz. This is on the north side of the main station. Access to the station from this side will be relocated.

Start of construction work Mittlerer Schlossgarten

Construction companies prepare the building site in the Mittlerer Schlossgarten. 108 trees are felled. A special machine moves another 68 trees.

Demolition south wing

Construction companies begin demolishing the south wing at Stuttgart Central Station.

Referendum

The new, green-red state government launches a referendum. Citizens vote on a law to withdraw funding for Stuttgart 21. 58.9 percent of those voting reject it. They thus approve the project.

Awards

The project executing agencies award the first contracts for major structures of Stuttgart 21, namely the Filder Tunnel and the tunnels to Unter- and Obertürkheim. The contract amounts to 700 million euros.

Stress test

The results of the stress test are presented to the public at Stuttgart City Hall. In a session moderated by Dr. Heiner Geißler, proponents and opponents discuss the results. The final report has over 200 pages. In it, the experts give the green light for the rail hub. They also confirm that the new station will deliver the required performance and can even reduce delays. The SMA company prepared the expert report. It is a renowned Swiss institute for analysis of railroad operations.

State election:

The state elections in Baden-Württemberg take place on March 27. Although the CDU wins the most votes, a change of government takes place. The Greens and SPD form the state government. Winfried Kretschmann is the first Green politician in the history of the Federal Republic to head the government of a federal state. Because the coalition partners disagree on the Stuttgart-Ulm rail project, they agree in the coalition agreement to hold a referendum.

First tree transplants

One result of the mediation is that trees should be preserved as far as possible. A specialist company is therefore transplanting 16 trees at Kurt-Georg-Kiesinger-Platz. This is necessary for the start of construction work.

Mediation

Proponents and critics will discuss the project from October 22 to November 30, 2010. Former federal minister Dr. Heiner Geißler chairs the mediation. At the end of the nine meetings, he recommends that Stuttgart 21 continue to be built. However, he proposes improvements. The result of a stress test is to show where the planned infrastructure may need to be adjusted.

Economic efficiency of the high-speed line

An expert report classifies the construction of the new and upgraded Stuttgart-Ulm-Augsburg line as economically viable. It is therefore given the highest priority. The report was commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Transport.

First tree felling

October 1, 2010: The first 25 trees are felled in the Mittlerer Schlossgarten. This makes room for the construction of the groundwater management facility. There are fierce protests.

Black Thursday

September 30, 2010: Workers erect a construction fence in Mittlerer Schlossgarten. This results in clashes between demonstrators and police. Well over 100 people are injured. The day goes down in the history of the state capital and the project as "Black Thursday.

Protest

Tens of thousands of people demonstrate against the project. Stuttgart 21 is a topic in the media throughout Germany.

Demolition north wing

On August 25, 2010, demolition of the north wing will begin at the terminus station.

Action by Bonatz heirs dismissed

Stuttgart Regional Court dismisses Peter Dübbers' lawsuit against the demolition of the side wings of the terminus station. The plaintiff is a grandson of the builder Paul Bonatz.

Symbolic start of construction Stuttgart 21

The official starting signal for the construction of the Stuttgart 21 project is given on February 2, 2010, with the symbolic raising of a buffer stop.

Project costs

The steering committee of the Stuttgart-Ulm rail project approves the updated costing in December 2009. The get-out clause is not applied.

Financing agreement

The financing for the Stuttgart-Ulm rail project is agreed on April 2, 2009 and the two projects Stuttgart 21 and the Wendlingen-Ulm high-speed line are contractually considered to belong together. Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee signs the agreement on behalf of the federal government. Stefan Garber, Board Member for Infrastructure, signs on behalf of Deutsche Bahn AG. Baden-Württemberg's Minister President Günther H. Oettinger signs on behalf of the state and its partners, the City of Stuttgart and the Verband Region Stuttgart. A clause allows for an exit by December 31, 2009.

Groundbreaking ceremony new municipal library

The groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of construction of the "Stadtbibliothek am Mailänder Platz".

Memorandum of Understanding

A Memorandum of Understanding is a type of agreement between different parties. It indicates that they intend to proceed together.

On July 19, 2007, the project partners sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the financing of Stuttgart 21 and the Wendlingen-Ulm high-speed line. This paves the way for the financing agreement. It is a significant political breakthrough.

Signatories are:

• Confederation
• German Railways AG
• State of Baden-Wuerttemberg
• State capital Stuttgart and
• Stuttgart Region Association.

Basic decision of the state parliament

The state parliament of Baden-Württemberg passes a positive resolution in principle on the Wendlingen-Ulm high-speed line and Stuttgart 21.

Building permit for main station

On April 6, 2006, the Mannheim Administrative Court gives the green light for the main station. The deadline for objections ends on June 29, 2006, after which the planning approval procedure for PFA 1.1 is completed without appeal. Permission to build the main station has been granted. The ruling legally secures the principles of the Stuttgart 21 project.

Urban planning competition Rosensteinviertel

The work of the office "Pesch & Partner" from Stuttgart is awarded 1st prize in the urban planning realization competition for the Rosensteinviertel. The consortium includes Professor Henri Bava, landscape architects.

Planning approval section (PFA) 1.1

The Federal Railway Authority grants Deutsche Bahn AG the right to build PFA 1.1, which includes the valley crossing of the city center with the main station.

First completions in the Europaviertel

The buildings of the Landesbank Baden-Württemberg and the Pariser Platz are finished.

City Library

Deutsche Bahn AG sells the site of the new municipal library in the A1 area to the state capital.

Development plan area A1

The development plan for area A1 comes into force. Area A1 is the European Quarter.

Planning approval procedure in section (PFA) 1.1

The planning approval procedure in PFA 1.1 begins. This is the procedure to obtain approval for construction. Section 1.1 includes the valley crossing of the city center with the main station.

City buys land

Deutsche Bahn AG and the state capital Stuttgart sign the purchase agreement for the track areas that become available.

Continuation of the project

The Supervisory Board of Deutsche Bahn AG decides to continue planning the project.

Pre-financing

The federal government and the state of Baden-Württemberg achieve a political breakthrough in the advance financing of the project.

Project stalls

The new red-green federal government is not pushing ahead with the project. Deutsche Bahn boss Johannes Ludewig speaks out against Stuttgart 21. He orders a halt to planning. The Deutsche Bahn supervisory board postpones the decision on how to proceed with the project six times until 2000.

Landtag speaks out in favor of the project
The state parliament requests the state government to continue to lobby the federal government and the railroad company vigorously for Stuttgart 21 and the high-speed line Wendlingen ̶ Ulm.

Architectural competition new city library

The South Korean architect Professor Eun Young Yi wins the realization competition for the new city library.

Open citizen participation in the Nordbahnhof district

There is an open public participation in the Nordbahnhof district. The topic is subarea C. This is the inner and outer Nordbahnhof. The basis for this is the framework plan and the urban development goals.

Deconstruction of the tracks in the area A1

The tracks in the A1 area are being dismantled. The freight station used to be here.

Opening Tower Forum

The exhibition in Stuttgart's station tower opens its doors. Deutsche Bahn and the city jointly provide information about Stuttgart 21.

Realization competition Stuttgart main station

The realization competition for the new Stuttgart main station takes place. The jury, consisting of a total of 32 jurors, chooses the winner unanimously. It is the design of the office "Ingenhoven, Overdiek und Partner" from Düsseldorf.

Spatial planning decision

The Stuttgart Regional Council concludes the regional planning procedure. The authority confirms Stuttgart 21 with further improvements.

Urban master plan

The municipal council approves the urban development framework plan. 75 percent vote in favor. A total of 200 of the 900 suggestions from citizens are incorporated into the plan.

Open citizen participation

Open public participation is taking place. The topic is: What will happen to the areas freed up by Stuttgart 21? More than 400 citizens draw up 900 proposals on how they envision the new city districts.

Regional planning procedure

A regional planning procedure checks whether a project complies with the objectives and principles of regional planning and state planning. Economic, ecological, cultural and social aspects are taken into account.
In 1996, Deutsche Bahn AG applied for a regional planning procedure for Stuttgart 21. The documents were made available for public inspection in the affected communities at the beginning of 1997.

Urban planning expert procedure

The first ideas for urban development emerge. A competition-like process with ten international planning offices is concluded. A commission recommends that the design by Trojan, Trojan + Neu from Darmstadt be continued. It becomes the basis for the urban development framework plan.

Framework agreement

Those involved in the project agree on November 7, 1995, to further develop and promote the project. The signatories are

• the covenant
• the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg
• the city of Stuttgart
• the Verband Region Stuttgart and
• Deutsche Bahn.

Preliminary project

Preliminary planning continues: experts are studying the technical and economic aspects. This includes a program of geological and hydrological exploration. Experts confirm at the end that the project is economical.

Public ideas workshop

The city is setting up an ideas workshop on urban development. Any citizen can submit suggestions. The Office of Urban Planning examines them and presents the results in an exhibition.

Feasibility study
Deutsche Bahn, the federal government, the state and the city present the Stuttgart 21 feasibility study. It states that "Stuttgart 21 is technically feasible." It "brings advantages for urban development and traffic.

Idea sketch Stuttgart 21

The subsequent project promoters present the outline of ideas for Stuttgart 21 to the media. Participating in the conference:

• the Chairman of the Board of Management of Deutsche Bahn AG, Heinz Dürr
• the Federal Minister of Transport, Matthias Wissmann
• the Minister President of the State of Baden-Württemberg, Erwin Teufel
• the Minister of Transport of the State of Baden-Württemberg, Hermann Schaufler and
• the Lord Mayor of the state capital Stuttgart, Manfred Rommel.

Key features of the idea sketch are:

• connect Stuttgart Airport
• to maintain the main station at its location
• to develop the railroad areas that are no longer needed in terms of urban planning
• to realize a high-speed line on the basis of the Heimerl route, and

abandon the Gaeubahn route from Stuttgart city center to Stuttgart-Vaihingen.

Federal Railroad Expansion Act

The government includes the new construction and expansion of the Stuttgart-Ulm-Augsburg line in the Federal Rail Expansion Act.

Location question

There are also plans to relocate the long-distance train station to Bad Cannstatt, for example. For this reason, the Stuttgart City Council unanimously called in 1992 for the main station to remain at its location. The railroad should not outsource long-distance traffic.

Variant investigation

Deutsche Bahn presents the report that examines variants for the Stuttgart-Ulm section. It presents the H train path and the K train path. The K-route is a mixed solution. It envisages the main station becoming a through station. It connects the station with a tunnel to Plochingen, where it links up with the existing network.

Heimerl route

Gerhard Heimerl is a professor at the Institute of Transportation Science at the University of Stuttgart. He presents the variant later known as the H route. The aim is to improve train traffic between Stuttgart and Ulm. Heimerl's idea is to connect the line with a through station in Stuttgart instead of a terminus. According to his proposal, the new station would be located transversely under the terminus station. The latter will be retained.

Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan

The Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan covers all transport routes for which the federal government raises money. In 1985, the plan calls for the rail network to be extended eastward from Stuttgart. The then new Mannheim-Stuttgart line is to be continued.