VCE Project of the Month 08/2026. In Frankfurt am Main a direct public transport link from the European quarter to Frankfurt’s main railway station is established by extending underground railway line U5. The extension of the U5 improves the accessibility of the growing city quarter and strengthens traffic infrastructure as well as sustainable mobility in the region. All in all, a 2.7 km long double-track route with four stations is planned.
VCE was assigned with the design of the ballast-less track and track construction with different support systems and constructive transitions of the underground section of “Stadtbahn Europaviertel” for a length of 1.2 km. The design services are performed between 2026 and 2027. Construction is scheduled to take place between 2026 and 2029.
Ballast-less Track for Tunnel and Station
The design comprises a ballast-less track system in bottom-up-construction method. The single support points are subsequently fastened, bored and mounted with bottom casting between rail support point and track supporting layer.
The project comprises two single-track tunnel bores, a double-track tunnel in using cut-and-cover construction as well as an underground station. Furthermore, transitions between the existing ballast track and an above-ground green track over a ramp are planned.
Design of the Support Systems
The focus of the design is on the different support systems of the ballast-less track. Both highly resilient and resilient rail support systems are applied. Additionally transitions between highly resilient and resilient rail support systems are considered.
For the transitions to the station structure rail support points with height adjustment plates are planned. VCE project manager Dominik Wurzer declares, “This enables adjustment of potential future uplift or settlement of the underground station structure and contributes to the maintenance of the function of the track system despite structural movements.”
Cooperation in the Project
Track construction is performed by Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group (RSRG). The track supporting layer is established by Wayss & Freytag. The noise and vibration measurements as well as the design of the support systems are carried out by FCP IBU.
The project "Stadtbahn Europaviertel" is planned and realized by SBEV – Stadtbahn Entwicklung und Verkehrsinfrastrukturprojekte Frankfurt GmbH.
With the design of the ballast-less track and track construction engineering VCE contributes to the technical implementation of the underground rail section in Frankfurt’s European quarter. A special focus is on constructive transitions as well as on solutions considering potential changes of the station structure in operation.