Progress in Bielefeld: An extension of line 4 on the university campus

by Dirk Budach

Line 4 at the current Lohmannshof terminus | © Dirk Budach

The expansion of Bielefeld’s light rail system continues: the extension of line 4 is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.

The way is officially clear for the expansion of Bielefeld’s light rail system: Line 4 is to be extended by the end of 2028. To this end, a cooperation agreement was signed today between the City of Bielefeld and the Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb NRW (BLB), which will enable construction work on the university campus.

In future, the route will be extended by around 1.3 kilometres. Currently, the line ends at the university campus at Lohmannshof – in future, it will continue northeast from here with two new stops and end at the corner of Dürerstraße and Schloßhofstraße.

The extension of line 4 to Dürerstr. (dotted line) and the future extension to connect wioth existing line 3 (within the circle) | © Stadt Bielefeld / moBiel

The project is being planned and implemented by BBVG (Bielefelder Beteiligungs- und Vermögensverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH) in collaboration with the city of Bielefeld, supported by moBiel, the local transport company. It is linked to the development of the university centre and the new Grünewaldstraße residential area, where around 700 residential units are planned, including around 400 for students. The extension will significantly improve the connection of these new neighbourhoods to public transport.

The financing of the project includes a subsidy of €15 million from the Westfalen-Lippe Local Transport Association (NWL), with 95 per cent of the construction costs being borne by the federal and state governments, as already mentioned in the original text.

Line 4 between Universität and Wellensiek | © Urban Transport Magazine / b

Better connections for campus and residential areas

As the university campus is constantly growing, the light rail system should also keep pace, according to the city of Bielefeld. The current terminus at Lohmannshof will be supplemented by two additional stops in the future. This will make it easier for students to get to the university and also improve connections to neighbouring residential areas.

The first preparatory work is scheduled to begin at the turn of the year. Actual construction will start in the summer of next year.

In addition, Various route options are being examined for the subsequent extension from Dürerstraße to the existing light rail line 3 (towards Babenhausen Süd and, in future, onwards to Theesen-Jöllenbeck), with different points of connection to line 3.