Dispute for 600,000 euros: Brenzbahn expansion remains in the queue!

Dispute for 600,000 euros: Brenzbahn expansion remains in the queue!

Heidenheim an der Brenz, Deutschland - The discussion about the expansion of the Brenzbahn between Aalen and Ulm is becoming increasingly heated. While the Alb-Donau district benefits from a solid connection, many see the benefits of expansion as limited. [Heidenheimer Zeitung] (https://www.hz.de/lokales/heidenheim/brenzbahn-ausbau-wer-profrofrofwer-sollte-Saight number) describes that for this reason the approval of higher financial participations fluctuates in the population. The Alb-Donau district would have to spend around 1.33 million euros for its share if you look at the entire budget, which is estimated at around 600 million euros. At the moment, however, the district only pays half of this amount.

The trains between Langenau and Ulm run in the half -hour clock, supplemented by bus lines. These connections are important for commuters and residents in Langenau, Rammingen and the surrounding area, but the criticism of the lack of participation in Heidenheim on other railway lines is widely considered unfounded, since only the Brenzbahn runs through the district.

financing problem and added value

An external report from the Ramboll engineering office has now created clarity about the upcoming challenges about the Brenzbahn. Schwäbische Post reports that there is agreement on the need for expansion and electrification in the district council, but only with financial support from the state and neighboring districts. Currently only single-track and non-electrified trains run on the Brenzbahn, which leads to capacity bottlenecks.

future expansion packages provide for profound changes, including an hourly express line and a new Regio-S-Bahn line, which would enable a semi-hour between Aalen and Heidenheim. These measures should not only improve the timetables, but also make everyday trips considerably easier for commuters.

investment framework and risks

The expected costs for the different packages are remarkable. Around 122.6 million euros will be required for the infrastructure of the IRE-Line Aalen-Ulm, while the electrification alone should cost 252 million euros. The federal government has guaranteed to promote such infrastructure expansion up to 75%, but the clear divisions of the regional costs are missing and the participation of the partner groups remains uncertain. The entire project thus adds up to 620 million euros, which fuels the discussion about the financial responsibility of everyone involved.

In the current situation, it could be advantageous for the Alb-Donau district to use support from the federal climate and transformation fund of the federal government in order to overcome the financial hurdles. In the coming months it will be crucial how the counties are negotiating their positions and whether a solution for financing is found.

The Brenzbahn has the potential to significantly improve regional traffic and at the same time to serve the environment through electrification in the course of modernization. However, without clear agreements and financial commitments from all sides, the project threatens to stand up for a long time, while other railway expansion in Germany has long since been progressed, as has been documented since 1994. [wikipedia]