Chemnitz-Leipzig railroad line: costs for planning increase

In the struggle to expand the railroad line between Chemnitz and Leipzig, Infrastructure Minister Regina Kraushaar (CDU) wants to avert the threat of cutbacks. The background to this is additional costs in the millions for planning services, for which the state lacks the money. Kraushaar reported after talks with representatives from the railroads, transport associations, industry and the city of Chemnitz that solutions are being sought intensively.

The route is very important for the region, the minister emphasized. It was therefore important to her to stick to the compromise reached so far on the expansion. A solution must be found with the railroad by the end of June. She was optimistic that this would succeed.

The double-track expansion and electrification of the line has been under discussion for years. According to the latest plans, it should remain single-track at two bridges over 1 and 1.6 kilometers for cost reasons. The state has earmarked around 8.1 million euros for further planning in the new double budget - 12 million less than required. There is therefore a threat of further cuts to the double-track expansion.

"The reassessment of the route of the approximately six-kilometre-long section between Cossen and Burgstädt is part of these considerations," the Ministry of Infrastructure announced in mid-April in response to an inquiry.

Mayor warns of long-term consequences

The mayor of Chemnitz, Sven Schulze (SPD), warned that extending the single-track sections would have serious consequences for train services on the line, especially the planned 30-minute frequency between the two cities. There is now a commitment from the state to actively seek a financial solution. This is a good step, said Schulze.

The Group Representative of Deutsche Bahn, Martin Walden, described the project as a "matter close to his heart". He added that Deutsche Bahn would do everything in its power to ensure that planning was not abandoned. He said that the additional costs had resulted from new findings in the course of planning as well as increased market prices for planning services in recent years.