The Poccistraße underground station is not exactly a gem with its low and unpanelled ceilings. And the static has also suffered over the years. In 2017, Stadtwerke München (SWM) had to install temporary pillars on six of the 31 vaults after the ceiling had partially sagged. In 2019 there were problems with the ceiling construction again.
Now the entire station will probably have to be statically upgraded between 2025 and the end of 2026, as the damage process is progressing, as stated in the recently published tender for the construction work. However, there is no danger of collapse, assures the Munich Transport Company (MVG). According to a monitoring system installed in 2017, the ceiling has not lowered any further. Nevertheless, the government of Upper Bavaria, as the technical supervisory authority, agreed with the municipal utilities as early as 2016 that the statics must be brought up to scratch by 2026 at the latest.
In addition, there is probably a pollutant remediation, since sprayed asbestos was partially processed. Fire protection is also a major problem. Here is the highest level of danger. Due to the low ceilings, the deep location of the station, the cramped entrances and the many station pillars, smoke can quickly develop in the event of a fire, while the so-called escape times are long, as explained in the tender. If the platform was reasonably full, people would only slowly be able to get outside again. Therefore, among other things, a mechanical smoke extraction system and floor-to-ceiling enclosures of the two staircase areas are to be installed. There is also a renewed safety lighting system.
Operations are to be maintained during the construction period, which will last around two years. On a day-to-day basis, especially weekends, there is likely to be one-track closures while trains pass the station on the other track without stopping. The renovation should cost a maximum of 10.66 million euros. The subway station should then be usable for another 20 years.
After that there are two options: If the planned U9 is built, SWM and MVG want to merge the two neighboring subway stations Poccistraße and Implerstraße into a new large station and give up the old stations. However, this is not to be expected before 2040. Nevertheless, the statics of the old Poccistraße station would have to be designed to be stable enough to withstand the construction work for the possible U9 subway tube, as this will only run 1.2 meters above the existing structure.
If the U9 does not come, the previous station will remain
The MVG regards the U9 as a central building block for high-performance and sustainable local public transport. Due to the high costs of currently estimated four billion euros and the uncertain funding situation, it is not yet certain whether it can be built.
If the U9 does not come, the previous stations will remain and the Poccistraße underground station will be rebuilt on the same site. Therefore, according to the specification, only absolutely necessary measures should be implemented for the planned remaining useful life during the upcoming renovation. According to their own statements, SWM cannot avoid the refurbishment, as the structural and fire protection deficits are too serious.
In the 1970s, the Poccistraße station was subsequently built into the already busy route of the U3 and U6 lines between the Goetheplatz and Implerstraße stations and opened in 1978. Up to 35,000 passengers use it every day. There were already problems during the construction period. The approval notice for the prestressing steel used at the time was revoked. In 1977 cracks appeared in the ceiling, in 1978 a prestressing steel fracture in a vaulted ceiling. Nevertheless, the station went into operation.