Seven years after the tunnel shark: chaos, responsibility and cost question

Seven years after the tunnel shark: chaos, responsibility and cost question

The consequences of the tunnel havaria in Rastatt seven years ago are still noticeable and raise important questions. The urging of the Badische Latest News (BNN) on clarification could have a lasting impact on the discussion about responsibility and transparency in construction.

The accident and its damage

On August 12, 2017, an incident occurred in Rastatt, which had a significant impact on travel. The collapse occurred exactly over a tunnel drill and true to the tracks of the Rhine Valley. The blocking of the route was used to concrete the damaged tunnel section and stopped the important traffic axis for a whopping seven weeks. Specific estimates of the damage amounted to several billion euros.

Long -term consequences of blocking

It was originally planned that high -speed trains and parts of freight transport had been going through Rastatt since 2022. However, this planning was postponed to the end of 2026, which again affects the travelers concerned and the region.

Little hope for answers

The BNN has initiated a consistent research process in recent years in order to hold those responsible for accounting. The central question remains: Who is responsible for the accident? Ultimately, the railway as an operator decides who bears the financial burdens, or is it the construction companies that should be held responsible for their possibly incorrect work? Despite many inquiries, the editorial team has only received evasive answers.

Arbitration procedure to the exclusion of the public

In order to avoid a public process, the parties involved have agreed on a secret arbitration process. This raises questions about transparency, as many citizens have the right to get an insight into the background and responsibilities.

Journalism as a tool for transparency

Despite the difficulties, the BNN adheres to its approach to consider persistence in journalism as a central element. The reporting on this topic is also supported by the BNN volunteers who deal intensively with the concept of "failure". In the next two months, portraits, interviews and reports on this topic will be published in the printed edition.

Future of reporting

The continuous pressure of the BNN on the transparency and responsibility in communication around the accident could in the long term a change in reporting on important infrastructure projects in Germany. The persistence and the pursuit of answers show how essential it is for society to be informed about such incidents and to participate in the discussions.