For the expansion of the East-West axis, there are two options in the city center. Over the ground and underground. In May, the Cologne mayor Henriette Reker has already announced at a press conference that the preferred option is the tunnel option.

The issue is; the tunnel option is expected to cost more than a billion euros whereas the over the ground option a mere 160 million euros. In both options, the federal grants will be available. Not all line will be underground. Mainly in the city centre the line will go underground. As tree felling is mentioned as one of the disadvantages of the tunnel option, does it mean that they are considering cut and cover tunnelling in place of underground excavation? Or is it because of the trees that will be cut for shafts and other construction areas?

One of the other changes is, in 34 stations, the length of the platforms will be at least 90 meters long. This is because the city plans to use 90 meters long trains instead of current 60 meters. This means adaptation of all existing stops and extra excavation for the new ones.

The City Council met in the beginning of June to discuss the options with further discussions scheduled in the beginning of September this year.

There have been already several demonstrations held, some with humor, against the East West expansion and mainly against the high costs of the tunnel option.

https://ostwestachse.koeln/innenstadt