Dortmund Central Station in New Splendor

Dortmund Central Station is one of Germany’s most important rail stations for long-distance traffic. An extensive modernization has now made it a much better experience for passengers. Following the renovation of the station entrance hall in 2011, the renewal of the rest of the station began in the second half of 2017. Finally, the work was finished just in time for the station to welcome visitors to the UEFA EURO 2024 in Germany.  

Moreover, the modernization project included a series of changes aimed at accessibility and a customer-friendly, modern design. The passenger underpass, originally 9.5 m wide, has been extended to 13.2 m and given a bright, welcoming ambience that creates a sense of space. New elevators rise from its center to provide step-free access to the platforms. Each platform is now accessible via wide staircases and escalators, which have been adapted to the new dimensions of the underpass.

Furthermore, the eight platforms themselves have also been renovated or rebuilt. This included the renewal of the floor surfaces, lighting and public address systems. In addition, most of the platforms have been raised to a height of 76 cm above the top of the rails to allow step-free boarding of trains. An exception is platform 3, which retains its previous height of 96 cm.

Additionally, a new wayfinding system, modern information boards, new roofs and weather shelters make the station a more pleasant place to spend time. 

Thanks to a new elevator, passengers now have step-free entry to the light rail interchange area at the southern end of the station. This enables fast transfer times and ensures accessibility. The northern connection between the passenger underpass and the light rail station has also been redesigned. Wide staircases, escalators and a new elevator ensure convenience for passengers.  

The station remained open to passengers throughout the modernization work. To minimize travel disruption, only one platform was closed at a time. The redesigned Dortmund Central Station is now well equipped to welcome the approximately 130,000 visitors and travelers who pass through it every day.   

Project information

• Station type: long-distance station, regional station 
• Construction during ongoing rail operations 
• Number of travelers per day: 130,000 
• Project type: renovation 
• Refurbishment and renewal of 8 platforms  
  • Usable lengths of up to 400 m 
  • Platforms raised to a height of 76 cm from top of rail 
• Construction of around 11,000m² of new platform roofs 
• Widening of the passenger underpass from 9.5 m to 13.2 m  
  • Length approx. 25 m  
• Renewal of 10 platform access points 
• Renewal of 7 elevators and 14 escalators 
• Renewal of energy supply, lighting equipment, lightning protection, etc.  
• Underground cable installation, wastewater systems, fire suppression systems, heat supply systems 
• Multicopter/UAS flights: 75 flight segments 

Scope of services

• Design 
  • Overall design coordination across all technical disciplines 
  • Project design for buildings and interiors (building construction), including interior fittings 
  • Tenant coordination for new and existing retail spaces in the “Transport station Dortmund” mall, tenant planning and standard retail space design including coordination with engineering and fire protection 
  • Drawing up escape route plans 
  • Project design for platforms and accessways  
  • Supporting structure planning  
  • Building systems engineering 
  • Designing technical equipment for changes to traction power and control-command and signaling during construction 
  • Construction scheduling and construction phase  
• Construction supervision 
  • Construction and implementation planning  
  • Comprehensive technical construction supervision for all technical disciplines  
  • Geotechnical construction supervision  
  • Geotechnical consulting (including determining, evaluating and presenting the necessary geotechnical investigations, monitoring of exploration work, acceptance of earthworks) 
  • Multicopter flying and provision of data in X2BIM (UAS platform) including preparing and performing flights   
  • Welding supervision 
  • Occupational health and safety coordination 
  • Submission of operations and construction regulations application 
  • Safety monitoring 
• Environmental and Geoservices 
  • Geotechnical engineering 
• Surveying 
• As-built documentation 
• Bespoke geodetic solutions