Full speed again on the western route soon: ÖBB work on schedule!

Full speed again on the western route soon: ÖBB work on schedule!

Extensive renovation work is currently underway on the western route of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). The route is considered the largest construction site in Lower Austria. Heavy railway construction machinery, excavators and cranes are working to repair the serious damage caused by the once-in-a-century flood in autumn 2024. As 5min.at reports, the necessary repair work will be carried out according to a tight schedule and should be completed by June 6, 2024, before the Railjet trains can run on the new western route again.

The main artery between Vienna and St. Pölten will be closed again from May 12th to June 5th, 2024 in order to implement final repairs and safety measures. During this time, the ÖBB set up extensive replacement services, which, however, extended travel times. Travelers must expect an additional travel time of around 30 minutes, and the stop at Tullnerfeld train station is no longer necessary for long-distance trains, as presse-oebb.at in their information notes.

Extensive repair work

Judith Engel, CEO of ÖBB-Infrastructure AG, has confirmed that the work is on schedule. Over 1,000 junction boxes were moved to higher positions to prevent future flood damage. In addition, the tunnel radio system in the Lainzer Tunnel was modernized and extensive replacement of switches and tracks took place. In the Lainzer Tunnel, concrete roadways were milled out and cable ducts were sealed to increase safety. The flood protection measures also include the installation of mobile flood protection elements in the Atzenbrugger Tunnel, supplemented by sealing of the Tullnerfeld train station, as 5min.at continues.

To ensure safety, ÖBB has implemented numerous measures in collaboration with emergency organizations. Dietmar Fahrafellner, state fire brigade commander in Lower Austria, praised the close cooperation in disaster control. This cooperation plays a crucial role in view of the increasing number of extreme weather events, which also have noticeable consequences in Germany, as bmuv.de emphasizes. Extreme weather events such as heavy rain and flooding are increasing, requiring increased flood management.

Mobile flood protection

On the western route, work is not only being done on the infrastructure, but also on a modern flood protection upgrade. This includes installing new components and renewing the substructure and superstructure of the route. The aim of these measures is to significantly increase the resilience of the railway infrastructure to natural hazards. As part of this upgrade, safety systems will also be renewed and the platforms at Tullnerfeld station will be extended to around 420 meters. These steps are part of ÖBB's long-term strategy to improve protection against natural events and ensure smooth operations, even under extreme weather conditions.

Final work and test drives are pending until the western route is put back into operation on June 6, 2024. ÖBB announces that both long-distance and local transport will be optimized throughout the closure period to meet the needs of passengers. With a reliable mobility offer, ÖBB wants to ensure that travelers reach their destination safely and on time despite the construction work.