Leipzig-Chemnitz railroad line: IHK criticizes delays

The Chemnitz Chamber of Industry and Commerce has warned against further delays in the expansion of the railroad line to Leipzig. Clear timetables, practicable planning standards and reliable financing are finally needed. "We are talking about a key project for the entire industrial region of south-west Saxony," explained Managing Director Christoph Neuberg. "Modern mobility must not fail due to excessive bureaucracy and decades-long planning processes."

There have long been calls for the previously single-track and non-electrified line between the two major cities to be upgraded. However, according to the latest statements from the Ministry of Infrastructure, this is still years away. According to current plans, work on the southern section from Geithain to Chemnitz is scheduled to begin in 2032 and last until 2035. The timetable for the northern section to Leipzig is still completely unclear, as the exact plans are still pending.

"Unbelievable setbacks in route expansion"

"It is becoming increasingly difficult to put these unbelievable setbacks in route expansion behind us and still keep working on it," emphasized Neuberg. In view of the high predicted costs - the northern section alone is expected to cost around 750 million euros according to previous calculations - he called for a reduction in conditions and regulations for the expansion of public infrastructure. "Ultimately, we are not talking about building the Tower of Babel here, but merely upgrading an existing railroad line that is already in operation!"