A decades-long ambition to construct a new rail line connecting Mannheim and Frankfurt faces significant uncertainty despite the existence of a dedicated special fund, according to a leading voice in German transportation. Tarek Al-Wazir, Chairman of the Transport Committee and formerly the Hessian Minister for Transport, cautioned in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that the project is “massively endangered” due to concerns regarding budgetary allocations.
Al-Wazir voiced criticism stemming from internal data obtained from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, highlighting that despite a substantial €500 billion special fund earmarked for infrastructure development, the necessary funding for new construction and expansion projects appears absent in the medium-term financial planning. He is now advocating for adjustments to the parliamentary procedure to address the shortfall.
According to the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, the Mannheim-Frankfurt project is nearing the completion of its planning phase. This marks a potential return to new rail construction after a period of stagnation, with the possibility of commencement as early as 2027. However, current budgetary projections indicate a severe limitation of funds available for new construction and expansion projects beginning in 2027. Data compiled by the Ministry and shared with Green Party transport policy spokesperson Matthias Gastel, reveal a funding gap of approximately €300 million in 2027, escalating to a staggering €1.5 billion just two years later.
The necessity of the new rail line is widely acknowledged. Current traffic forecasts from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport indicate a projected utilization rate of 127% for the Riedbahn route by 2040, signifying an anticipated overload of the network. This level of congestion is expected to exacerbate punctuality issues. Without the new ICE (Intercity-Express) route, even significant upgrades to existing lines, like the Riedbahn, are unlikely to yield substantial improvements in train reliability. The construction is therefore viewed as crucial for national infrastructure and overall transport efficiency.
