Pfaffensteigtunnel construction begins to link Stuttgart and Zurich

Construction has symbolically begun on the Pfaffensteigtunnel, an approximately 11-kilometer railway tunnel designed to improve the Gäubahn connection between Stuttgart and Zurich. The project aims to reduce travel times by roughly 15 minutes and integrate the line with the Stuttgart 21 infrastructure, specifically connecting the Gäubahn from Böblingen through the Fildereven to the new long-distance station at Stuttgart Airport.

Projected to be operational by 2033, the tunnel is a major infrastructure undertaking with estimated costs ranging between 1.69 billion and 2.5 billion euros. Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger emphasized the need for faster and better connections toward Southern Baden and Switzerland.

However, the project faces criticism. Passenger association Pro Bahn argues that the primary bottleneck on the Gäubahn is actually a single-track section south of Horb, which causes frequent delays. Critics question whether the multi-billion euro investment is the most effective priority for improving the rail network.