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Structural engineering

Work on stiff layer B of Frankfurt's U5 line completed five weeks ahead of schedule

Frankfurt, / Structural engineering

An important milestone has been reached in the extension of the U5 underground line to Frankfurt's Europaviertel district: the dismantling of the stiffener B was successfully completed a full five weeks ahead of schedule. This brings the completion of the shell of the new station a decisive step closer.

The photograph shows a large excavation pit that is at an advanced stage of structural work. Several levels have already been structured with solid concrete walls and false ceilings. The numerous reinforcing bars protruding from the walls are striking and indicate that concrete work is imminent. On the right-hand side is a yellow formwork area that has been prepared for the next construction phase. On the left side of the image, multi-storey scaffolding has been installed to provide access to the different levels. Various building materials such as steel beams and wooden planks lie on the ground, supplemented by machinery and tools required for the further construction process. Safety measures are also evident: protective railings have been installed at the top of the excavation pit to prevent falls.
© PORR
The dismantling of stiffener B was completed five weeks ahead of schedule.

In mid-June 2025, dismantling of stiffener B began, initially with two wire saws. As work progressed, capacity was gradually increased to five wire saws. The final cut was made on 27 October, and removal of the cut blocks was completed in the same week.

Interim milestone achieved well ahead of schedule

The work was originally scheduled for completion on 6 December 2025 – thanks to the high performance of the PORR civil engineering project team, the target was achieved five weeks ahead of schedule.

Progress in station construction

At the same time, the new station on the underground network is taking shape: the first four sections of the 2.30-metre-thick station ceiling have already been concreted. A total of 16 sections are planned, with completion scheduled for late spring 2026.

The heavy-duty supporting structure, which currently bears the weight of the station ceiling, weighs over 1,000 tonnes. Once the ceiling has hardened sufficiently, the supporting structure and bracing level can be dismantled. The excavation pit will then be gradually filled in from east to west starting next spring.

The photograph shows a large excavation pit that is at an advanced stage of structural work. Several levels have already been structured with solid concrete walls and false ceilings. The numerous reinforcing bars protruding from the walls are striking and indicate that concrete work is imminent. On the right-hand side is a yellow formwork area that has been prepared for the next construction phase. On the left side of the image, multi-storey scaffolding has been installed to provide access to the different levels. Various building materials such as steel beams and wooden planks lie on the ground, supplemented by machinery and tools required for the further construction process. Safety measures are also evident: protective railings have been installed at the top of the excavation pit to prevent falls.
The image shows a construction site at an advanced stage of structural work. The large yellow formwork, which has been laid on several levels and serves as the basis for the next concrete pour, is striking. The formwork panels are neatly aligned, and some tools and wooden beams are ready on top of them. Several reinforcing bars protrude from the concrete walls, indicating further reinforcement work. Solid concrete walls have already been completed in the lower area, while building materials such as wooden planks and metal parts are stored on the ground. Safety railings have been installed on the upper level, and several construction workers can be seen at work.
The image shows a large excavation pit in an urban environment, where intensive work is being carried out on an underground structure. Several construction workers are spread across the site, performing various tasks. In the centre, reinforcing bars and formwork elements can be seen, which are being prepared for the construction of walls and supports. On the left and right, solid concrete walls have already been completed, while other sections are still under construction. A temporary bridge with protective railings runs along the upper level, facilitating access and material logistics. Scaffolding, building materials such as wooden planks, steel beams and formwork elements, and machinery are visible around the construction site. The surroundings suggest an inner-city location, with modern buildings in the background.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Sarah Render

Unternehmenskommunikation / Deutschland
+49 89 71001-475
presse@porr.de