Partner of the Stuttgart-Ulm rail project
Good transport infrastructure is crucial for economic success, jobs and consequently for good opportunities in life and prosperity. This is particularly true in a cosmopolitan region with a strong export focus in the heart of Europe, such as Baden-Württemberg. The Stuttgart – Ulm rail project ensures that the entire Federal Land is integrated in the European rail network of the future and conversely also helps to ensure that Europe is well equipped to face global competition. That, in turn, plays a central strategic role for the sustainable development of Baden-Württemberg as a place to live and work for present and future generations:
- The shorter journey times bring Baden-Württemberg closer to central European regions in East and West.
- The project means an elementary improvement in the overall transport conditions in the economic region of Baden-Württemberg, so that it safeguards existing jobs and creates new ones.
- The link with Stuttgart airport and trade fair centre creates synergies and boosts their competitiveness.
- The interlinking of the road haulage, private car, air and rail modes enables optimisation of the overall transport concept and benefits the environment.
- The project leads to better regional and local transport connections, better travel comfort and substantially shorter journey times.
- The Stuttgart – Ulm rail project benefits not only the Greater Stuttgart Region, but the entire Federal Land of Baden-Württemberg.
The project naturally calls for high investments from everyone involved. However, in view of the sound financial planning by the Land government, the prospects are good. The financial scope needed to realise this project is available without jeopardising further projects and other objectives, such as budget consolidation, or the necessary investments in education.
Cost effectiveness
The cost effectiveness of the project has been proved and confirmed by independent auditors. The funds to be contributed by the Federal Land are quantifiable, valuable investments in the future. The Land will not assume any incalculable or unlimited risks.
Controlling
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on 19 July 2007 was the decisive breakthrough for the project, which is supported by a wide majority in the Land parliament and in Stuttgart city council. The task facing us now is to conclude the final project approval procedures quickly and move ahead into the execution phase. During execution of the construction work, top priority will go to cost auditing and limiting additional costs, and to ensuring compliance with deadlines, cost and quality specifications. The Land authorities have therefore appointed a special controller to monitor cost developments and act as an early warning system exclusively in the interests of the Federal Land. The project partners have also set up a steering committee which primarily follows these objectives.
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