Big KVB project: New overhead line for the light rail in Niehl!

Big KVB project: New overhead line for the light rail in Niehl!

The Cologne Verkehrsbetriebe (KVB) continue their efforts to modernize the light rail network: From Wednesday, June 18 to Friday, August 8, the head railway line 12 in Niehl will be completely renewed. This important measure affects the section between the “Fordwerke Nord” and “Niehl Nord” stops. The work is well thought out and take place exclusively from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in order not to affect the Stadtbahn operation. Old masts are dismantled and new masts and booms are installed, ropes are tensioned and the power -carrying drivers are fitted. As reports Rheinische-Verschbersblaetter.de, the construction site pauses from Friday to Saturday and from Saturday to Sunday to avoid possible disorders.

The light rail line 12 represents an important traffic axis in Cologne. It runs over 17 kilometers, connects Zollstock, Nippes and Merkenich with the heart of the city and enables a quick connection to the city center through the ring tunnel. Travelers have numerous transfer options at the Friesenplatz stop, while Cologne-Hansaring train station even guarantees a direct connection to the S-Bahn network. According to 24rhein.de there are between 27 stops, including important junctions such as Barbarossaplatz and Eberterplatz, which optimally open up the city.

timetable and vehicles of line 12

Modern low-floor vehicles on line 12 run, including the K4000 and K4500 models, which are to be supplemented by new Citadis Lower Floor railways from 2024. The passengers can look forward to a dense clock: from Monday to Friday, the line runs every 10 minutes, on Saturday every 20 minutes and on public holidays every 15 minutes. This makes line 12 a reliable part of Cologne local transport, which not only integrates the city center, but also outskirts.

historical development

But how does it come that the light rail is so modern today? A look at the story shows that the first horse tracks were already put into operation in Cologne in 1877. From 1968 the light rail was continuously expanded. The network today extends over 198 kilometers with 233 stations, as well as on Wikipedia. The ongoing investments in the infrastructure, such as the current renewal in Niehl, are part of a comprehensive modernization of the KVB network, which always wants to adapt to the needs of citizens.

The upcoming work in Niehl are another step into the future of local public transport. It will be interesting to see how the Line 12 will develop with the new overhead lines and vehicles and how this will improve everyday mobility in Cologne.