Cologne's rail hub: Westspange brings new trains and less traffic jams!

Cologne's rail hub: Westspange brings new trains and less traffic jams!

Something is happening in public transport in the cathedral city: the expansion of the Cologne rail hub is slowly but surely making progress. With over 1,300 train journeys per day and around 70 million travelers annually, Cologne Central Station is one of the most important hubs in German rail transport. The need for expansion has been recognized for years, and the response has been positive - compared to other major projects such as Stuttgart 21, only fewer than 100 citizen protests are a sign of acceptance among the population. Review online reported that there was also the fifth rail junction conference on Monday, in which high-ranking participants such as State Transport Minister Oliver Krischer and State Secretary Stefan Schnorr discussed central issues such as the planned western span.

The construction of the western span is not only a structural measure, but also a big step towards improving the timetables and the operating system. The aim is to make train connections denser and more reliable. By signing a “planning agreement” between Deutsche Bahn, the State Ministry of Transport and go.Rheinland, the planning for the route from Cologne-South to Hürth-Kalscheuren is now being advanced. Construction work on the western span could begin in around ten years and is part of a comprehensive plan with a total of 16 individual projects, four of which have already been completed. Cologne City Gazette points out that, among other things, the additional S-Bahn platform in Cologne Central Station and the new construction of the S-Bahn station in Kalk-West are part of these measures, which are considered fundamental for efficient local rail passenger transport in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Digital citizen information event

In order to provide citizens with the best possible information, Deutsche Bahn and go.Rheinland organized a digital citizen information event on May 14, 2025. This platform enabled interested residents to find out about the expansion plans and the current project status without prior registration. The big goal is to unbundle traffic on the route on the left bank of the Rhine, which promises more capacity and more punctual trains. A face-to-face event in Cologne is also planned for June, where the content of the digital event will be presented again. German railway highlights that around 38,000 new residents are expected in Cologne by 2050, which is likely to further increase the pressure on the S-Bahn.

In addition, construction work on the expansion of the S 13 and the renewal of bridges in Cologne-Deutz and -Mülheim are also in full swing. In order for the expanded infrastructure to keep up with the increase in passengers, the electrification of routes such as the Eifel route by the end of next year is particularly important. Cologne City Gazette emphasizes that the complexity of the construction projects poses major challenges, as many measures have to be carried out over tunnels on the north-south light rail line.

The citizens of Cologne can prepare for an exciting time in which comprehensive planning and work for more efficient rail transport in the region will be pushed forward. With a significant investment totaling 60 million euros for the western span and the electrification of the Eifel line, we are on the right track. The plans show that Cologne will not only remain dependent on train traffic, but will also set the right course for the future.