The city of Nuremberg has been concretely planning the extension of tram line 4 for several years, from the current terminus at Gibitzenhof via Dianastraße and Minervastraße to the connection with line 5 at Julius-Loßmann-Straße (near Finkenbrunn). Via the route of line 5, line 4 will then reach the common terminus at Worselsdorfer Straße. The Gibitzenhof loop is currently served by lines 4 and 11.
The regional government of Middle Franconia has now granted the city construction rights with the newly issued planning approval decision – the first preparatory works can begin in October 2025. The new route is expected to be completed by 2027.
The new 1.7 km long route will provide a direct connection for the residential centers of Falkenheim, Gartenstadt, and Kettelersiedlung via the central transfer point Plärrer to the western old town and the northern part of the city. The tram depot and workshop will thus gain a second connection in case of disturbances and for better, partially shorter accessibility.
The tram will be largely separated from individual traffic in the middle of the street on its own, grassed track bed as a lawn track. At the Minervaplatz level, there will be a new barrier-free stop, the previous Gibitzenhof loop will be abandoned, and a new stop with the same name will be built, followed by a new turning loop with a siding. Here, intermediate services and line 11 are to turn.
Also in an advanced planning stage is the extension of the existing tram line 7 in Allersberger Strasse to the new district of Lichtenreuth up to the U1 station Bauernfeindstraße. Initially, a total of five new barrier-free tram stops are planned, with a turning loop north of Bauernfeindstraße replacing the current P+R parking lot, with a direct transition to the U-Bahn station. The route is planned as a lawn track on its own track bed with a parallel pedestrian and cycle path. In the future, it is to continue from Bauernfeindstraße, via the Messe, Langwasser Nordost to Langwasser Süd. However, no final construction decisions have been made yet; recently, there have also been plans for the construction of the first commercial application of Bögl’s maglev system, which has received some political support.
Work has also been underway for some time to reopen the section from Rathenauplatz to the Stadtpark loop. The Stadtpark loop will be completely rebuilt. The extended line 7 will operate here in the near future.
