Mega test drives on the Koralmbahn: 15,000 kilometers until June!

Mega test drives on the Koralmbahn: 15,000 kilometers until June!

The ÖBB is currently starting comprehensive measurement and test runs on the Koralmbahn, one of the most important infrastructure projects in Austria. This new high-performance route will go into operation on December 14, 2025 and will create a direct connection between Graz and Klagenfurt, which currently runs via Bruck an der Mur. A total of 15,000 test kilometers will be covered in Carinthia and Styria. To ensure everything runs smoothly, these tests are carried out by specially trained train drivers.

The Koralmbahn, originally known as the Koralpenbahn, is the largest project to expand the Austrian railway network and both training trips and route videos will be created as part of the tests. A total of 32 test days are planned until June 12th, during which sections of the route that are already in operation will also be used. However, this leads to closures of the affected routes in order to hinder student and commuter traffic as little as possible, which takes into account the tests on weekends and public holidays.

Affected routes and rail replacement services

The test drives concern the following routes:

• Steiermark: Linie S6 zwischen Werndorf – Hengsberg – Wettmannstätten
• Kärnten: Linie S3 zwischen Klagenfurt und St. Paul im Lavanttal

During the closures, a rail replacement service with buses will be set up to maintain passenger mobility.

Koralmbahn and Koralmtunnel

The heart of the Koralmbahn is the 33 kilometer long Koralm Tunnel, which runs under the Koralpe. The entire route is 130 kilometers long, 50 kilometers of which run through tunnels and includes more than 100 bridges and 23 train stations and stops. With the completion of the Koralmbahn, the fastest connection between Klagenfurt and Graz will be shortened to just 45 minutes.

The Koralmbahn not only improves the connection in Austria, but also promotes connections to the neighboring countries of Hungary and Italy. This sub-project is part of the international rail transport corridor of the Baltic-Adriatic Axis. Commissioning has been taking place gradually since the end of 2010 and full completion is expected to be completed this year.

Economic advantages and criticism

With a planned cost of 5.2 billion euros (2009 prices), the Koralmbahn not only promises a significant reduction in travel time, but also a regional economic benefit of 167 million euros annually. The rail connection to Klagenfurt will enable trains to also travel from Vienna via Graz to Klagenfurt in the future. Critics, however, accuse the project of being seen as a waste of money as alternative corridors are already under construction.

The effects on existing connections and the lack of capacity problems without the Koralmbahn are also cited as arguments against the project.

The Koralmbahn is financed by the states of Carinthia and Styria, each of which is contributing 140 million euros. In view of the positive effects on freight transport and the international competitiveness of domestic companies, the Koralmbahn remains one of the leading transport projects that will strengthen Austria in the long term.

For more information about the Koralmbahn you can Small newspaper, Lovntol and ÖBB infrastructure visit.