Düsseldorf has set itself the ambitious target to create a 3.4 km underground train line in the city center from nothing in just seven years. It will be called the Wehrhahn line after its most northernly station. The route will have a new underground station at Heinrich-Heine-Allee as its central hub and five further stops as fas as Bilk station.

It will create a fast connection right through the city center and link areas of new developments in the east and west better than the current network. It will mean that over 53,000 daily passengers expected to use the new line will be able to get around much easier. The Rheinbahn network will run three new services along the Wehrhahn line following its completion in 2014, called the U71, U72 and U73. These will replace the current 703, 712 and 713 tram lines.

Since work began in November 2007, a huge drilling machine called Tuborine is digging the tunnel underneath the city while above ground everything carries on as normal. The € 650 million project is being funded by the city of Düsseldorf, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the federal government. It is not only serving to improve local public transport, but is also creating a unique chance to remodel the city´s heart because the tram lines at Jan-Wellem-Platz will be pulled up.

More information about getting around in Düsseldorf.