Adlershof: Firefighters block the next tram line
Berlin’s tram network faces further delays as key upgrades stall over safety disputes. The expansion of Line 21, including a new depot in Adlershof and a dual-track route along Dörpfeldstraße, has been held up by the city’s fire brigade and slow approvals. Meanwhile, a suspended section of the line has left thousands of daily passengers with lengthy detours.
The suspension of Line 21 between Holteistraße in Friedrichshain and Marktstraße in Rummelsburg began due to severely worn tracks. Passengers now face a 20-minute detour via Bus 240, despite the route’s popularity—around 4,500 people used the tram daily in June 2025. The closure has added pressure to complete upgrades quickly.
Plans to extend Line 21 through Sonntagstraße to Ostkreuz station have also hit obstacles. The Berlin Fire Brigade raised concerns about emergency access and overhead line safety, mirroring a long-running dispute at the Ostkreuz tram project. A temporary solution now allows BVG’s control centre to shut down power remotely, with fire crews handling manual cuts on-site. Further south, major construction is set for 2026. A new turning loop at Blockdammweg will replace the current worn-out tracks along Ehrlichstraße in Karlshorst. Once finished in November 2026, trams will run every 10 minutes between Marktstraße and Blockdammweg. However, the dual-track upgrade on Dörpfeldstraße—critical for the new Adlershof depot—remains stalled. The Senate’s environment and transport department has yet to approve the plans, with no decision expected before December 2025. The Ostkreuz tram project, meanwhile, remains in limbo. The hearing authority is still waiting for revised documents from the project sponsor, prolonging years of delays caused by disagreements between BVG and the fire brigade.
The delays mean continued disruptions for passengers and extra costs for BVG. Without faster approvals, the new depot in Adlershof and improved services on Line 21 will take longer to materialise. The fire brigade’s safety demands and bureaucratic hurdles show no signs of quick resolution.
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