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New U8 Tram Line in Düsseldorf: Construction Progress and Key Features
The U8 tram line in Düsseldorf is a planned extension aimed at enhancing public transport connectivity. The project, which includes crossing industrial and urban areas, has been in the works since a city council resolution was passed in 2013 for the planning and public participation of the first construction phase.
A significant aspect of the U8 line is the new section that will extend westward beyond the Arena, cross the Rhine, and connect to Neuss, Meerbusch, and Krefeld. In the east, the extension will reach the existing airport long-distance train station and further to Ratingen.
A key feature of the route is a new line that branches off from the existing track, crosses the Nordstern towards the airport, and ends at the airport terminal in an underground station. To facilitate this crossing, a ramp structure, Bridge Nordstern, will be built in an island layout between the tracks of U79, shortly after the Freiligrathplatz stop. This bridge will be built in a wide arc and supported on five pillars over the intersection of Danziger Straße and Autobahn A 44. The bridge construction will be carried out in 18 construction phases.
The route will be led over an 118-meter-long ramp, a 476-meter-long bridge, an 182-meter-long embankment, and a 96-meter-long bridge, before entering a more than 210-meter-long tunnel to the underground station at the airport terminal. The construction of the U-Bahn station at the airport terminal will begin in the third quarter of 2021.
The structures will be cast in situ using concrete, and the excavation pit protections using sheet pile and retaining walls play a crucial role in preventing soil from sliding into the underground construction and also sealing against groundwater. Utility and pipeline works have been ongoing since October 2019 and are essentially completed.
Heinz Schulze has been appointed as the personal contact person for residents regarding the construction works of U8. His contact details are: telephone number 0211-89 93859 and email: [email protected].
The preliminary total costs of the project amount to around 256 million euros gross, with around 180 million euros net in funding expected from the current grant procedure. The new section of the route is scheduled for commissioning in mid-2024.
For the latest project developments, it is best to consult official Düsseldorf city transport authority announcements or local news sources directly. As of August 2025, there are no confirmed updates on which solution has been chosen for the crossing over the Nordstern area, whether a bridge or a tunnel, or the construction progress.
The U8 tram line's extension will not only traverse industrial areas but will also reach key financial hubs like the airport long-distance train station and the upcoming airport terminal. This infrastructure project in the transportation sector is expected to secure substantial investments, given the financial implications of the project, which are estimated to be around 180 million euros net.
The U8 tram line's planned route is set to cross essential transportation arteries, including the Rhine, and connect major cities like Neuss, Meerbusch, and Krefeld, further illustrating its potential influence on the local transportation industry.
