extension would have a total length of eight kilometres and there would also be two new viaducts with a total length of 400 metres. The line on the section between Nuremberg and Bamberg meets the requirements of high-speed traffic as it is largely straight. It runs in the Regnitz valley almost in a straight line, particularly between Erlangen and Bamberg, and with curves with very large radii and can already be run largely at 160 km/h. Between Fürth and Erlangen, there are some sharper curves, mainly between Fürth and Fürth-Unterfarrnbach, and north of Vach station (the underpass of the A 73), and the speed is limited to 140 km/h. The extension is divided into thirteen sections for planning purposes and the planning approvals processes were initiated between 1994 and 1996. At the beginning of 1996, two decisions were made. From the beginning of July 1999 until 2002, the planning was based on the order of the Federal Ministry of Transport. As a result of changes in the technical and legal framework, planning amendments were initiated as of March 2002. In December 2001, the Free State of Bavaria let a contract for the planning of the proposed S-Bahn. The state of the planning for the southern planning assessment sections (Planfeststellungsabschnitten, PFA) is as follows: PFA 13 ("Nuremberg marshalling yard–Eltersdorf freight railway"): approval of the planning costs was put before the board of Deutsche Bahn AG for approval. The planning of the freight railway, including the approximately 7,580 metre-long Pegnitz Tunnel, was advertised Europe-wide on 21 August 2009. PFA 14 (the upgrade of the Nuremberg–Fürth line to four tracks): the section was planned and was opened in December 2010 (northern pair of tracks, line 5972 for the S-Bahn) and December 2011 (southern pair of tracks, line 5907). The newly built tracks are located on the (old) line 5900. PFA 15 ("Fürth curve"): The planning approval decision was issued in August 2007. The section was under construction from 2009 onwards. Completion was expected for 2013. However, due to a lack of connection to the rest of the network (PFA 16), it has not been possible to put it into operation. PFA 16 ("Fürth North", relocation of the S-Bahn): the plan was established in February 2014, but it has not been finalised. The originally planned commissioning at the end of 2011 could not be achieved due to the lack of planning approval. The city