Ceremonial ground-breaking at Falkeplatz

Following months of intensive preparatory work, a ceremony was held today to mark the start of construction on one of the largest infrastructure projects in Chemnitz’s recent history.

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Instead of a ground-breaking ceremony, a piece of old Geis was symbolically removed. Pictured (from left to right): Alexander Dierks, President of the State Parliament; Mathias Korda, Managing Director of VMS; Sven Schulze, Mayor; and Jörg Huntemann, Head of Department at SMIL. Picture: Falk Ester / VMS

At Falkeplatz, Alexander Dierks, President of the State Parliament, Jörg Huntemann, Head of Department, representing Minister of State Regina Kraushaar, and Mayor Sven Schulze officially launched the construction of the new railway line to Limbach-Oberfrohna (Chemnitz Model Stage 4 – CM 4 for short).

The Chemnitz Model is a tremendous success story, not only for our city but for the entire region. It is a project unique to Saxony and proves that public transport still has great potential. Especially in these challenging times, the fact that work is now beginning on the fourth phase of the project sends out an important signal.

Alexander Dierks

President of the Saxon State Parliament

The Chemnitz Model is a successful model that we owe to the astute efforts of those in charge both in the city itself and in the surrounding area! The idea behind it is quite logical: we want to bring the city and the surrounding area closer together, as this brings many benefits for residents. With the extension to Limbach-Oberfrohna, public transport services in the region will be significantly improved, creating an attractive alternative to the car. With this approach, good and successful mobility does not stop at the city limits. It connects homes, workplaces, educational institutions and leisure facilities. It is therefore right and important to continue investing in the expansion of the Chemnitz Model. And we, as the state government, are happy to support this.

Regina Kraushaar

Minister of State for Infrastructure and Regional Development

As a regional centre, we bear responsibility for connecting our region. With the expansion of the fourth phase of the Chemnitz Model towards Limbach-Oberfrohna, we are consistently building on this commitment. The Chemnitz Model is one of our most important projects for the future. It connects the city with its surrounding area in a modern, reliable and environmentally friendly way, and continues to grow with every construction phase. In doing so, we are not only improving mobility, but also strengthening Chemnitz as a business hub and enhancing the quality of life throughout the region.

Sven Schulze

Mayor

The redevelopment of Falkeplatz will continue until 2028. The next phase to be completed by 2030 will be Hartmannstraße, forming part of the complete Chemnitz railway ring road around the city centre (Brückenstraße, Bahnhofstraße, Theaterstraße, Mühlenstraße). The ring line is also the first section of the future railway line to Limbach-Oberfrohna.

The VMS and its partners – Chemnitz City Council and CVAG – are responsible for the construction.

Further sections will see the construction of the railway line from Leipziger Straße to the Chemnitz-Center. From there, the line will continue on to Limbach-Oberfrohna. The railway line (16 kilometres) is due to be completed in the mid-2030s.

The cost of the entire railway line to Limbach-Oberfrohna is in the mid three-figure million range. 90 per cent is being funded by the federal government and the Free State of Saxony, with 5 per cent each coming from the City of Chemnitz and the ZVMS.

This project is co-financed from tax revenue on the basis of the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament.

A press release from the Central Saxony Transport Association.