A work in progress...

There is a new UBahn (Underground) line being built here in Düsseldorf. It is called (or rather - will be called) the Wehrhahn-Line.

Actually, we've been aware of it for some time - as work commenced at the end of last year and we live pretty much in the middle of its construction zone. Notices appear periodically in our building's foyer advising of when the most disruptive activities will take place.

One weekend, a few months ago, I was convinced the actually tunnel was being bored. All through the night/s were constant reverberations that shook our building's foundations. They came in waves. It was not unlike sleeping on a ship with the constant, low, soul-vibrating Brrr Brrr Brrr of huge engines. (Quite lulling, really).

The Caspi-Man has been in 7th heaven as there has been no end of workers, buggers, cranes and tip-trucks to observe. I am often frustrated as this means we get absolutely no-where fast.

A few days ago I had a few moments to spare and decided to pop into the "information center" (a specially converted shipping container situated at the end of Koenigsallee) to learn more about 'Die Wehrhahn-Linie'. Or more aptly - find out when it's bloody well gonna be finished. (There really are only so many hours/days/weeks of my life I'm prepared to devote to idly watching random construction works. A bit here or there is fine -but really - month after month it gets a bit much. And anyway, the Caspi-Man has a collection of "Bob the Builder" DVDs that should rightly be fulfilling this role.)

The information staff were really incredibly friendly and helpful. (I don't think that many people come in with the specific intention of finding out about "Die Wehrhahn-Linie". I suspect they've been spending the majority of their work time recently just giving directions - mainly to the Altstatd for thirsty visiting drupassangers.)

I left with booklets, diagrams, technical information and the revelation that - if all goes to plan -Die WehrHahn-Linie will be complete and operational by sometime in 2014. yep. TWO THOUSAND AND FOURTEEN!

A work of quality and masterful German engineering it may well be, but, excuse me, didn't the Greeks manage to create/reform their ENTIRE underground system (plus their motorways AND airport) in a mere 4 or so years before their Olympics? And I suspect that even the Brits will manage to do something major with the tube by (latest) 2012.

Seven years seems an awful lot for a mere 3.4 kilometres of Underground. (Without even any rivers or mountains to contend with.) And they like to consider themselves timely and efficient????

Well, I suppose I'm gonna have to adjust and learn to live with this on-going construction gazing....