City council confirms additional costs for streetcar extension to Zwätzen

At its meeting on 29.10.2025, the Jena City Council decided to finance the next construction phase of the streetcar extension to Zwätzen. This will continue a key transport and urban development project that is of great importance for the north of Jena - even if the overall costs are higher than originally planned due to general price increases.

"This project is an investment in the future of our city and the decision is historic," emphasizes Dirk Lange, Head of Urban Development. "It not only improves mobility for thousands of people in the growing north of Jena, but also makes transportation more sustainable and safer overall. Despite the increased costs, it is important to implement this project now."

A joint project for the future

The overall streetcar extensionproject from Camburger Straße to Carl-Orff-Straße is a joint venture between the city of Jena (represented by the KSJ), Jena's public transport system, Stadtwerke Jena and the JenaWasser special-purpose association.

The extension of the streetcar line to Zwätzen will significantly improve connections to the entire district. The streetcar creates an environmentally friendly, barrier-free and reliable connection between the north of Jena, the city center and the university and research locations. At the same time, roads, footpaths and cycle paths as well as the entire urban infrastructure will be renewed - a benefit for everyone who lives, works or travels here. Particular attention is being paid to the conversion of the 88 federal highway, the northern section of which is being transformed from an interurban road into an urban road. This will better integrate Zwätzen into the urban area and improve the quality of life in the district.

Why the costs are rising

The sharp rise in construction, material and energy costs since 2017 has made the project considerably more expensive. New technical requirements and environmental standards also had to be taken into account, but despite this development, the project remains economically viable - not least because a large proportion of the costs continue to be covered by federal and state subsidies.

From planning to today - a chronology:

• 2017: The project was given planning permission and approved.
• 2017-2020: The first construction phase from Camburger Straße to Flurweg was completed and put into operation.
• 2020 onwards: The second construction phase (Flurweg to Carl-Orff-Straße) could not be implemented initially for financial reasons.
• 2024: Planning was resumed. This was based on cost calculations from before 2017, which were updated using price indices.
• 2024 - Cost review: A new cost calculation showed that the EUR 12.4 million previously earmarked in the business plan was no longer sufficient for the municipal share. An increase to 16.8 million euros was necessary for the tender.
• March 2025: The City Council approved this increase (draft resolution BV 25/0355-BV).
• Europe-wide tender 2025: Following the conclusion of the tendering process, it is clear that the total costs of the joint project will increase from EUR 41.4 million to EUR 53.8 million (gross). The share of Kommunalservice Jena (KSJ) will increase from 16.8 million euros to 19.6 million euros.

This sum is the result of the most economical secondary offer from a bidder that provides for a simplified construction process. By reducing the number of intermediate construction stages and temporary solutions - for example for roadways and traffic safety - the construction time can be shortened and the process made more efficient. However, this means that sections of Naumburger Straße will have to be fully closed during construction.

The Free State of Thuringia has confirmed that the additional costs are eligible for funding in principle. However, as there are no immediate funds available in the current funding program, the city of Jena will initially pre-finance the additional funding shares.
To this end, other investment projects - such as at Spittelplatz and in Winzerlaer Straße - will be postponed in order to secure funding.

Information events for citizens are planned for November, to which separate invitations will be sent out.