GERMANY: A 2·2 km extension of Berlin metro Line U5 west from Alexanderplatz to Brandenburger Tor opened on December 4, and U5 absorbed the formerly-isolated U55 with trains now running through from Hauptbahnhof to U5’s eastern terminus at Hönow.
Originally due for completion in 2017, the link includes intermediate stations at Rotes Rathaus and at Unter Den Linden where there is interchange with U6. Museuminsel station between Rotes Rathaus and Unter Den Linden will open later, as fitting out is still underway.
The link has been under construction since 2010, following on from completion of the 1·8 km U55 between Brandenburger Tor and Hauptbahnhof which opened on August 8 2009. The cost has risen from the initial budget of €433m to an estimated €525m.
