Transport ministers are calling for the renovation of the left stretch of the Rhine to be maintained

In a letter to Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger (CDU) and railway boss Evelyn Palla, the transport ministers of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia are calling for the renovation of the left Rhine stretch planned for 2028 not to be postponed. “The planning is well advanced, the measures are necessary and the 2028 time window must be used,” said Rhineland-Palatinate Transport Minister Achim Schwickert (CDU) to the German Press Agency in Mainz.

It's about one of the most important transport axes in Europe

"After various discussions in the past few days, there are increasing indications that the corridor renovation of the Left Rhine route Cologne - Bonn - Koblenz - Mainz planned for 2028 will apparently no longer be implemented," says the joint letter from Schwickert and his counterpart Oliver Krischer (Greens).

"Any delay would significantly impact the performance of one of Europe's most important transport axes, given the capacity bottlenecks that already exist today and the ongoing operational deficiencies in both passenger and freight transport."

Ministers see an enormous need for renovation

“Month-long closures for individual measures cannot be arranged without the planned general renovation taking place,” said NRW Transport Minister Krischer. “Given the enormous need for renovation on this route, we can neither afford a month-long closure without any lasting benefit nor a further postponement of the work.”

“The left stretch of the Rhine is one of the most important rail connections in Germany and Europe,” emphasized Schwickert. It is important for commuters, long-distance and freight transport. “At the same time, the infrastructure is outdated and prone to failure in many places. The renovation should not be put off for a long time. He also has an eye on the 2029 Federal Garden Show between Koblenz and Bingen.