Official opening of the new "Wehrhahn Line" city rail link in Düsseldorf
Dietlikon, 29 February 2016 – After eight years of construction, the "Wehrhahn Line", Düsseldorf's new underground city rail link, was handed over to the city on schedule in a ceremony attended by numerous VIPs. Implenia, as general contractor, was responsible for the extended shell construction of Section 1 of the 3.4-kilometre new line. The contract included all tunnel and ramp structures, five of the six stations and all the surface work, such as roadbuilding, track laying, drainage and cabling/pipework for electricity and water. The new line is a significant addition to Düsseldorf's local public transport network. More than 200 Implenia employees were involved in the project. Project Manager Georg Lottritz was clearly very happy with the work, and even let a little pride shine through: "We're pleased to have been able to work on this prestigious project and make a significant contribution to its success." The big challenge was to carry out the construction work in such cramped inner city locations. Traffic had to keep flowing, and access to all the buildings still had to be maintained. "Given the circumstances we're proud that the logistics all worked so smoothly," Lottritz continues. Düsseldorf's Mayor Thomas Geisel was also enthusiastic about the opening: "After so many years of construction activity, we are all pleased that the work has been completed on time. Tunnelling across the city centre was a huge challenge for the engineers and companies involved, but they have done it brilliantly and without any accidents." The successful completion of the project underlines the importance of Implenia's expertise in complex infrastructure projects. In December 2015 the German Studiengesellschaft für unterirdische Verkehrsanlagen (STUVA) awarded the project its prize for outstanding achievement and innovation in underground construction (see News of 14 December 2015). For more information on the new Wehrhahn Line see www.duesseldorf.de/wehrhahnlinie/.
Düsseldorf's Mayor Thomas Geisel (second from right) and North Rhine-Westphalia's Transport Minister Michael Groschek (right) "unveil" the new line. (Photo: Andreas Bretz)
Before the opening: A view down one of the tunnels of the Düsseldorf metro's new Wehrhahn Line, Section 1 of which was built by Implenia as general contractor. (Photo: Bernd Schumacher)
Implenia press contact:
Reto Aregger
Communications Manager
Tel.: +41 58 474 74 77
Implenia, Switzerland’s leading construction and construction services company, also has a strong position in the German, Austrian and Scandinavian infrastructure markets. Established in 2006, Implenia can look back on around 150 years of construction tradition. It brings the expertise of its highly skilled sectoral and regional units together under the roof a company active throughout Europe. With its integrated business model and specialists operating in all areas of construction, the Group can manage a building project through its entire lifecycle and deliver work that is economical, integrated and customer-centric. The focus is on striking a sustainable balance between financial success and social and environmental responsibility.
Implenia, with its headquarters in Dietlikon near Zurich, currently employs more than 8000 people around Europe and posted revenue of around CHF 3.3 billion in 2015. The company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (IMPN, CH0023868554). More information can be found at www.implenia.com.
