Rotes Rathaus (Berlin U-Bahn)

Structure of subway lines U3/U10 and U5 at Alexanderplatz.

Currently planned for a 2020 opening, the 100-meter-long station is being built under Rathausstraße directly in front of Rotes Rathaus (Berlin city hall). The station has a gross floor area of 8000 m².[3] The architect is Oliver Collignon.

The station will have two levels: On the upper level the line will run with two outside platforms and on the lower level a train storage area with four tracks will be built to allow later conversion to a two track platform if either the or to Potsdamer Platz projects are realized.

Pedestrian access will be possible from both ends: Spandauer Straße north of Rathausstraße in the west, and two more on Jüdenstraße in the east. Two elevators will connect to the platform on the eastern end.

The existing line currently ends in a four-track tunnel at Jüdenstraße. Currently used for train storage and cleaning, it must be rebuilt in the course of the route extension. The Berliner Rathaus station will connect directly to this existing tunnel.

The station will be built using cut and cover construction. After the construction of the 32 meter deep slurry walls, it will be topped with an HDI sole lid.

In the west the station will join the excavation pit used for the tunnel boring machine which will contain track switching and a weir chamber under the Spree river. All equipment for the operation, such as power, telecommunication and air conditioning systems will be installed in the underground station building.

Until August 31, 2016, the station had the working title Berliner Rathaus (Berlin city hall), however this was officially changed on September 1, 2016 to Rotes Rathaus (red (brick) city hall).

Archaeological excavations began in 2009 in the area of the starting excavation pit and eventual station which led to the creation of the Berlin Sculpture Fund. At the same time extensive line relocations were needed in the area which lasted until the end of 2011.

The start of station construction was further delayed as archaeologists unexpectedly found well-preserved remains of the medieval Altes Rathaus in front of the Rotes Rathaus during excavations. As a result, the station was rescheduled and an exit relocated so parts of these relics remain preserved and may possibly be presented by an "archaeological window".[4][5] However for technical and financial reasons this window will remain initially closed.

While the tunnel sections were constructed in spring of 2012, actual station construction began in early 2013 with a budget of 62 M Euro for the station shell.

The topping-out ceremony was celebrated on September 7, 2016 and hosted approximately 3,000 interested visitors.[6]

• Rotes Rathaus the station's namesake and the colloquial name for Berlin city hall.

• Official website (in German)