South-West Germany’s Mobility Transition Gains Momentum

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South-West Germany’s Mobility Transition Gains Momentum
Northern Gäu Railway Upgrade Moves into Next Phase
 

Stuttgart, 19. June 2026 – Progress on the northern section of the Gäu Railway upgrade is becoming increasingly visible. The main construction compound along state road L1192 is now well advanced, while the large tunnel boring machines for the twin bores of the Pfaffensteig Tunnel are ready for deployment. The Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group and SWIETELSKY are also set to begin work. Operating as the joint venture “VP5 Gäubahn”, the two railway construction and rail systems specialists have been awarded key packages under Germany’s innovative Rail Partnership Model for this major infrastructure project. Their scope covers significant works relating to track construction, railway systems and power supply infrastructure.

A key focus of the contract is the installation of slab track throughout the 11-kilometre, double-track Pfaffensteig Tunnel, as well as conventional ballasted track on the open route (approximately 3 km) and at the Mönchsbrunn junction. The works also include six turnouts, 50 Hz power systems, cable ducting and civil works, substations, point heating systems, noise barriers and modifications to Goldberg station near Böblingen.

The Gäu Railway upgrade will significantly enhance the international rail connection between Stuttgart and Zurich while preparing the route for integration into Germany’s nationwide integrated timetable programme, the Deutschlandtakt. At the same time, it marks the first major Deutsche Bahn infrastructure project to fully implement the Rail Partnership Model, which brings key project partners into the planning and development process at an early stage. The aim is to deliver large-scale projects more efficiently, with higher quality, greater cost certainty and improved schedule reliability.

“This project is an excellent example of modern, collaborative delivery in rail infrastructure,” says Harald Ramsbacher, Head of Railway Construction Germany at SWIETELSKY. “Early involvement of all stakeholders creates the conditions needed to deliver complex projects efficiently, innovatively and sustainably. With our extensive expertise in track construction and tunnelling, we are proud to contribute to one of Germany’s most important railway projects.”

The Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group also views the contract award as a significant milestone. “In addition to the Gäu Railway upgrade, we are involved in the New Cottbus Maintenance Facility, the Fehmarnbelt “Hinterland”-connection and the Residenzbahn project. This means we are currently contributing to virtually all of Deutsche Bahn’s alliance-based infrastructure programmes,” says Philipp Nachbaur, Managing Director Project Business at the Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group. “We are proud of this achievement, which underlines our position as a reliable and highly capable partner for the construction and systems installation of complex railway infrastructure.”

About the Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group
The Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group was formed in 2012 through the merger of Switzerland’s Sersa Group and Austria’s Rhomberg Bahntechnik. Since then, the company has evolved into an international full-service rail technology provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of services across railway construction, rail systems and maintenance. Its customers include passenger and freight railway operators as well as private infrastructure owners. The Group’s vision is to establish rail as the leading mobility solution of the future by harnessing technological innovation, digitalisation and strong partnerships. The Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group employs approximately 3,000 people. In the 2024/25 financial year, the Group generated operating revenue of around Ꞓ816 million across nine countries on three continents: Europe, Australia and North America.

About SWIETELSKY AG
SWIETELSKY is Austria’s third-largest construction company and currently employs around 12,200 people across 21 countries. Its activities cover the entire construction value chain, including railway construction and tunnelling. In the 2024/25 financial year, the company generated construction output of Ꞓ3.67 billion. Austria accounted for approximately 55% of total output, followed by Germany (15%), the Czech Republic (12%) and Hungary (4%).