By rosebell
Construction has officially begun on Deutsche Bahn’s Pfaffensteig Tunnel in Germany, marking a major step in the expansion of the Gäubahn railway line. The start of work was celebrated with an excavator making the ceremonial first cut.
The approximately 11km-long tunnel will connect the long-distance railway station at Stuttgart Airport with the existing Gäubahn line, improving the railway connection to the Stuttgart region.
TBMs to excavate 9.8km of the tunnel
The project is divided into two project approval sections. The first covers the construction of the main tunnel, with approximately 9.8km to be excavated using two tunnel boring machines (TBMs).
The connection beneath the A8 motorway and the new railway line, including the link to the underground long-distance railway station at Stuttgart Airport, will be constructed using conventional methods.
The second section includes approximately 240m of tunnel to be built using the cut-and-cover method.
Airport railway connection takes shape
Preparatory work has already been completed at Stuttgart Airport’s long-distance railway station. The connecting structure for the Pfaffensteig Tunnel has been constructed, and the switch connection and initial metres of track are also in place.
These works form part of the wider railway infrastructure required to integrate the new tunnel with the existing network.
Rail partnership delivers the project
Deutsche Bahn is delivering the Pfaffensteig Tunnel through a rail partnership with Allianz Gäubahnausbau Nord. The consortium comprises STRABAG, Züblin, Wayss & Freytag, Rhomberg Bahntechnik, FCP (Fritsch, Chiari & Partner ZT GmbH), Geoconsult, Hörmann, iC Consulenten, Spitzke and Swietelsky.
The tunnel forms part of the broader expansion of the Gäubahn line, strengthening rail connectivity around Stuttgart and linking the airport’s long-distance station with the existing railway corridor.
