Application for rail project 'Wallauer Spange' rejected - Wiesbaden's Wallau Curve rail project faces setback after federal rejection
The 'Wallau Curve' rail project in Wiesbaden has hit a major setback after Germany's Federal Railway Authority rejected the planning application. The decision was met with disappointment by local officials, including the city's Lord Mayor, Gert-Uwe Mende. Despite the rejection, authorities have signalled that the project could still move forward with corrections to the proposal.
The Federal Railway Authority ruled the application 'incomplete' and 'in need of revision'. This led to frustration from Wiesbaden's leadership, with Mende criticising the delay. However, he noted that the city had previously been assured of a quick resolution to the approval process.
The project, managed by DB InfraGo AG—a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn—will now require a fresh planning approval procedure. Markus Schmidt, the new project lead since January 2026, has been tasked with revising the application documents. His team will oversee the resubmission to DB Netz AG in Hesse.
Federal support for the Wallau Curve remains intact. The Federal Ministry of Housing confirmed to Mende that the government still backs the project. Officials also clarified that the deficiencies in the original application can be fixed. Once corrected, the revised proposal will undergo the same review process as before.
The rejection delays the Wallau Curve but does not halt it entirely. With federal backing and a new project lead in place, the revised application will be resubmitted for approval. If successful, the rail infrastructure project could proceed as planned.
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