"The project is developing very dynamically - we are pleased about that," said District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier, Chairman of the special-purpose association. "I am very pleased that, after many years of discussions, engineering planning is now starting and we are entering the concrete realization phase of the light rail," said District Administrator Allgaier.
In addition, numerous other studies and planning packages still need to be commissioned or processed in a timely manner: "The timetable and operating concepts are currently being drawn up," says Frank von Meißner, Managing Director of the special-purpose association: "We are defining the travel times and deriving the exact meeting points on the Markgröningen line from this." However, environmental planning, expert reports on noise and vibration or electromagnetic compatibility as well as other equipment planning, for example for the interlocking and signaling technology, for the overhead line and for the level crossings, must also be commissioned in a very timely manner. "However, this also means that we will have to moderately increase the staff of the special-purpose association," added Allgaier.
Frank von Meißner reported that the special-purpose association's alternative concept for the Schusterbahn with an alternating route via Kornwestheim marshalling yard to Markgröningen and Kornwestheim passenger station had met with a great deal of interest and approval, as it could probably be implemented more quickly and in stages. "We are delighted that the Verband Region Stuttgart is now having this alternative concept examined in detail and with our involvement," said von Meißner.
He also informed the association meeting that the participation of citizens had begun: "The experience with the participation of citizens at the first route inspection on March 11 in Ludwigsburg's Weststadt was very good: we were able to answer many questions and take some concerns with us," said von Meißner. The next route inspections are on June 15 in Markgröningen, June 21 in Pattonville, June 26 in Möglingen, July 7 in Ludwigsburg Oststadt, July 14 in Ludwigsburg-Oßweil (south) and July 17 in Schwieberdingen, all starting in the early evening. Interested parties can also find the schedule of the route inspections on the Internet at www.lucie-stadtbahn.de. These on-site inspections are only part of the public dialog. They are intended as an introduction to other public participation formats that the special-purpose association is currently developing. In this way, the special-purpose association aims to achieve the greatest possible acceptance in the run-up to the approval process and until completion. The special-purpose association's public relations work also serves this purpose: it is now also active on Facebook and Instagram and will launch a large, interactive project website in the summer.
