Gigantic construction project: Tunnel under the Vienna River reaches Vienna!

Gigantic construction project: Tunnel under the Vienna River reaches Vienna!

In the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, March 12, 2025, an impressive tunnel boring machine, also called "Super-drill", has arrived in Vienna. This mammoth project for the new Wiental Canal will be the largest water protection measure in the city by 2028. The drill, which will cross six districts under the Vienna river, has an outer diameter of almost four meters and will help relieve the sewer networks in times of heavy rain and to protect the flow of Vienna from contamination. This was confirmed by climate councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky (SPÖ) in his announcements, which underline both technological and ecological progress.

The impressive drill was manufactured in several portable units and had to be transported to Vienna over a distance of around 800 kilometers. Three special transports were required for transport right from the start, since the parts exceeded the road traffic regulations. The logistical challenge was recognized under expert eyes, such as that of the district leader Wilfried Zankl. "Planning and drilling a sewage tunnel across the city is a huge challenge," added Czernohorszky, while the engineers master this challenge with precision and skill. The drilling machine is assembled in an underground tunnel and should be completed by the end of March before starting drilling in mid -April.

technical details and schedule

The project extends over several years with a total investment of around 270 million euros. The tunnel will be more than 8.6 kilometers long and includes 43 connections to the existing sewer network. Western propulsion is scheduled to take from spring 2025 to summer 2026, while the eastern section will be realized from autumn 2026 to spring 2027. According to Czernohorszky, the first work without accidents or complications went, which contributes to the optimistic mood around the project. For the Viennese population, this major project not only brings a long -term investment in the infrastructure, but also the certainty that the city is better prepared for future weather extremes, such as reporting from ots.at