Months of replacement shuttle operations and radical changes to familiar schedules will become the new reality for thousands of citizens: unprecedented restrictions are being introduced on the key subway lines U3 and U6. The reason is the critical necessity for the renovation of the Poccistraße and Goetheplatz stations, whose technical condition requires immediate intervention by engineers.
Munich enters the active phase of modernization as early as May 18. The Munich Municipal Utility (SWM), together with the Munich Transport Company (MVG), are beginning a comprehensive renovation project divided into three technological phases that will last until August of next year. To minimize transport collapse, authorities are organizing large-scale replacement bus services. Buses will run between the Implerstraße and Sendlinger Tor stations and will also provide a direct link to the Main Station (Hauptbahnhof).
The necessity of the work is dictated by time. According to official MVG data, both stations were designed and built during the formative period of the Munich subway system and are currently in unsatisfactory condition. Technical expertise showed that Poccistraße requires urgent reinforcement of static structures, while at Goetheplatz, deep damage to the building’s load-bearing elements must be eliminated to guarantee passenger safety in the long term.
Construction Work on Lines U3 and U6 Entails Significant Difficulties in Munich
The work schedule is designed to tackle the most complex tasks in stages. During the first and third phases — from May 18 to September 18 of this year and from April 12 to August 1, 2027 — the central section between Sendlinger Tor and Implerstraße will be completely closed to train traffic. During this period, the main load will fall on replacement ground transport. On the northern and southern branches of the lines, U3 and U6 trains will continue to run, but passengers should prepare for adjusted intervals of ten, eight, and five minutes depending on the time of day.
The second phase, planned for the period from October 5 to November 27, assumes a partial maintenance of rail service. Traffic on the problematic segment will be carried out on a single track in shuttle mode. A special shuttle train will be launched between the Implerstraße and Goetheplatz stations. Although lines U3 and U6 will maintain the operating mode of the first phase, U6 trains will additionally provide a connection between Sendlinger Tor and Goetheplatz, somewhat simplifying logistics in the city center.
The engineering specifics at Poccistraße deserve special attention: specialists have recorded dangerous corrosion of the prestressed concrete on the ceilings, and cracks were found in the reinforcement wires. Some structures have already been pre-emptively reinforced with temporary steel supports, but now the time has come for the construction of permanent, powerful structures to prevent further destruction. Parallel to this, a total modernization of the fire protection system will be carried out. The plan includes the insulation of exits, the installation of modern smoke extraction systems, and the construction of a special ventilation facility at the intersection of Lindwurmstraße and Ruppertstraße. An additional bonus for citizens will be the replacement of escalators and a significant increase in accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility.
At the neighboring Goetheplatz station, priorities are set differently: the primary task here is the major repair of walls and ceilings. Due to years of operation, concrete spalling is occurring, which engineers must partially dismantle mechanically and reapply using modern, wear-resistant mixtures.For trip planning convenience, full details of all three construction phases, answers to frequently asked questions, and interactive maps of the replacement transport are already published on the official portal www.mvg.de. Despite the severity of the restrictions, MVG reports some encouraging news: during periods of traditionally high passenger traffic, such as the world-famous Oktoberfest or the pre-Christmas weeks, construction work will be completely suspended to ensure that guests and residents have unimpeded access to holiday locations.
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