Stuttgart 21 costs soar to €14.5 billion amid delays and safety concerns

The cost of Stuttgart 21 has risen sharply to €14.5 billion, Deutsche Bahn has confirmed. The project, which began in 2010 with a budget of €4.5 billion, now faces further delays and mounting criticism over its planning and safety standards. Construction on Stuttgart 21 started in 2010. Its centrepiece is a new underground station meant to replace the old terminal. Protests erupted that same year when police clashed with demonstrators opposing the demolition of the historic station, leaving over 100 injured.

The Greens, strong opponents of the project, gained significant support in the 2011 state elections, becoming the second-largest party. Despite political shifts, work continued, but issues soon emerged. Over 1,000 kilometres of cables and conduits were installed incorrectly and must now be replaced.

Critics have repeatedly pointed to inadequate fire safety measures and widespread technical flaws in the planning. Baden-Württemberg’s Minister-President Cem Özdemir has demanded clearer progress and reliable completion figures. DB CEO Evelyn Palla recently attributed the latest delay to the complexities of digitising Stuttgart’s rail hub. The underground station’s opening is now pushed back to 2031. The project’s budget has more than tripled since its launch. With the opening now set for 2031, Stuttgart 21 continues to face technical, financial, and political hurdles. Deutsche Bahn insists the revised timeline and cost reflect the scale of the challenges ahead.