You must have read about the current situation at Rastatt. On 12.08.2017, during the construction of a tunnel under the very, very busy Karlsruhe—Basel line, part of a project to double the capacity of this route, monitoring instruments detected subsidence under the two existing rail tracks. The ground depressed around 50 cm and caused the rails to buckle. All rail traffic, passenger and freight, had to be halted.
- Update 15.09.2017: The line can be opened five days earlier than expected!
Karlsruhe – Basel, also known as the ‘Rheintalbahn’ is a crucial part of the European rail freight corridor A (Rhine – Alpine). Its closure has disrupted passenger traffic, meaning passengers have to search for alternative modes of transport like busses. The closure has also resulted in considerable economic damage for many rail freight operators, logistic companies, and customers. Words such as ‘disastrous’ (KombiVerkehr) and ‘dramatic’ (SBB Cargo) are used. These all have published critical statements, some of which call for direct (financial) support.
- update 02.10.2017. A short-term solution, such as repairing at least one track with temporary measurements, is out of the question. This has already led to a dispute between Germany and Switzerland on the highest levels.
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