Delay in Oldenburger Train Hall Renovation Extended by Two Years Due to Steel Girder Corrosion
- Delay pushes Oldenburg's railway station renovation back by two years
Hey there, folks! Let's talk about the not-so-great news on the horizon for Oldenburg's main station. You know, that charming and bustling place where approximately 25,000 passengers pass by daily.
Apparently, the historic train hall at that very station has been hit with some unexpected, severe corrosion damage, pushing back its renovation by a couple of years. Initially, Deutsche Bahn (DB) planned to wrap up the renovation of the only remaining historic train hall in Lower Saxony by the end of 2027. However, that timeline has been stretched out, and the completion is now expected in 2029, according to DB's announcement. So, be prepared for some temporary disruptions, as a few platforms will be closed for construction.
The train hall's origins trace back to 1915, and due to inadequate statistics, the three hall sections are currently in the process of being refurbished. A steel construction company in East Frisia's Westoverledingen (Leer district) is working diligently on those steel girders.
The groundbreaking revelation came when inspections and testing procedures on the steel components at platform 7/8 stumbled upon extensive corrosion damage. Felix Burckhardt, DB's overall project manager, described the damage as "particularly severe at the connection points and in the areas of the steel girders that were previously covered by attachments." As a result, the repair work for the other two hall sections over tracks 3/4 and 5/6 will also demand more attention.
DB has allocated around 80 million euros for the renovation of the train hall. Despite the extra renovation time, the budget is still expected to be sufficient, a DB spokesperson confirmed. The majority of this investment is slated for the dismantling, refurbishment, and reinstallation of the three hall sections, including the glass roofs and supporting elements.
Although the city has faced an extra two years of waiting, which is undeniably disheartening, Oldenburg's chief building officer Christine-Petra Schacht remains optimistic. Schacht believes that once the renovations are completed, Oldenburg will be able to boast one of the most beautiful and captivating main train stations in the republic.
The renovation plan set forth by DB involves the hall section at platforms 5/6 being the first to be fully renewed, with an estimated completion date by mid-2027. Other renovation work is also ongoing at various locations. For instance, the foundations of the hall section 7/8 are currently being refurbished, and by late summer, the hall section 3/4 will be dismantled. During the renovation process, platform 5/6 will also be expanded by around 50 meters.
- Oldenburg
- Construction Project
- Renovation
- Main Station
- DB
- Lower Saxony
- Deutsche Bahn
- Leer
In light of the extended renovation of Oldenburg's main station, it might be an ideal time for residents to consider enrolling in community aid programs or vocational training, particularly in home-improvement or home-and-garden fields. This could provide an opportunity to acquire new skills and contribute to the community's improvement while the train station undergoes construction. As the main train station remains a significant part of the city's lifestyle, it is encouraging to envision a beautifully renovated Oldenburg station, becoming one of the most captivating main train stations in the republic.
