The Munich subway network is getting old. That’s why the Munich Municipal Utilities (SWM) always has to renovate individual sections of the route and stations. There are also some construction projects for the tram. On Monday, the SWM and the Munich Transport Company (MVG) presented the most important projects for the next year – as well as the resulting restrictions for passengers.
In 2024, the subway lines U2 and U6 will be affected. Work on the U2 in the northern section will begin on Christmas Day this year. The walls behind the tracks at the Theresienstrasse, Josephsplatz and Hohenzollernplatz stations will be renovated by March 10th. There is also further maintenance work, for example to bring the fire protection up to date. SWM is also replacing 450 meters of tracks between Königsplatz and the main train station.
The line will then be closed between Hohenzollernplatz and the main station for six weekends from the end of January. During the rest of the time, the U2 is partially interrupted at Scheidplatz, which is why passengers have to get off there and change tracks. In addition, in some sections there is only a train every ten minutes instead of every five minutes. The U8 also only runs between Neuperlach center and the main train station on Saturdays.
Since the operating concepts differ on individual days and weekends, passengers are well advised to use notices, the MVG or MVV apps or online mvg.de to provide information about the details of the work and alternative routes. Between Sendlinger Tor and Scheidplatz, the U3 is an alternative route, and tram 27 also runs to Petuelring.
As part of the renovation, SWM is giving its subway stations a new look. The previous wall coverings will no longer be there. Instead, the gray concrete will remain visible in the future; colored elements will only add accents to the pillars in the middle of the platform. This saves SWM a lot of money – also with regard to future wall renovations.
Tracks and switches are being replaced on the U6 line between Kieferngarten and Garching.
(Photo: Florian Peljak)
There are also interruptions on the U6 because switches, rails, busbars and sleepers are being replaced in the Kieferngarten – Garching Research Center section. The work will take place from mid-April to June 13th and from July 15th to mid-September. They are interrupted during the European Football Championship. MVG is currently still working on an operating concept.
Work on the Sendlinger Tor subway station will be completed over the next year. The shops will open on the mezzanine this Tuesday, and the platform level of the U3/U6 is largely finished – after more than six years of construction.
There will be further restrictions for passengers on the tram in 2024. Work on the western bypass is already starting and track replacements are also pending. Replacement buses run on line 16 between Romanplatz and Stachus from mid-February to June. Tram 17 will be replaced by the extended tram 12 between Amalienburgstrasse and Romanplatz.
Instead of tram 18, buses will run on one section of the route for several months.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
Instead of tram 18, buses are expected to run between Gondrellplatz and Westendstraße from March to June. During this time, SWM is building track arches to connect the existing tram network to the future western bypass.
Only replacement buses also run on the tram 19 route between Pasing and Lautensackstrasse from mid-July to December. The line turns at Westendstrasse. Track arches are also being built at the intersection with Agnes-Bernauer-Straße.
In the east of the city, SWM is laying new tracks on Metzgerstrasse. Tram 21 is expected to be rerouted via Flurstrasse and Grillparzerstrasse from the end of July to the beginning of September. Tram 25 will be replaced by buses between Max-Weber-Platz and Ostfriedhof. The SWM will then replace switches and rails at Johannisplatz and Kirchenstrasse until mid-October. Instead of tram 37, buses run between Max-Weberplatz and Effnerplatz. Line 25 has to take a detour between Johannisplatz and Wörthstraße via Grillparzerstraße and Ostbahnhof.
Construction work also continues on the Ludwigsbrücke. According to SWM, track construction is largely completed. By the second half of 2024, supply lines must be moved back to their original position and the foundations for the contact line laid. The overhead line is scheduled to be installed from the end of 2024. The MVG promises that tram service between Max-Weber-Platz and Isartor will be possible again in spring 2025 – five years after the bridge renovation began.