Christmas traffic secured: ÖBB fights after century flood
Christmas traffic secured: ÖBB fights after century flood
According to the devastating effects of the flood in Lower Austria, there is a comprehensive restart of the Western railway line. ÖBB boss Andreas Matthä confirmed that the “new” west route from Vienna-Meidling via the Tullnerfeld will be accessible again from December 15th. Despite the massive damage, everything was taken to secure the connection on time before Christmas. "The employees are fighting around the clock," said Matthä. To advance the repairs, spare parts from other federal states were procured.
Despite this positive message, however, there is a drop of bitterness: next year there will be a renewed lock of the route. Matthä explained that some technical provisions have to be dismantled, which will be an estimated four weeks. This lock is expected to take place in May or summer, since the required spare parts are only delivered in April.
extensive damage and challenges
The Atzenbrugger tunnel is particularly affected, the interior design of which was “completely” destroyed according to the damage admission of the ÖBB. Not only the electrical equipment and the emergency system have to be renewed, but also the entire ventilation system. These measures are necessary to recover the tunnel that was built as a security measure. Matthä pointed out that the planning for the route is already over 30 years old, which, in view of the increasingly extreme weather conditions, must be reconsidered. The estimated damage to the infrastructure amounts to around 100 million euros, whereby the sales losses from goods and passenger transport cannot yet be estimated.has recently been reinforced about the challenges of rail operations in this context. "The highly complex system railway" came to the limits of its resilience due to the flood of the century, explained Matthä. Again and again there were complaints from travelers about trains that did not drive, delays and missing information.
again operation of the old route
A positive development, however, is that the "old" western railway line through the Wienerwald can be accessed in two ways from October 4th. The mud masses were cleared and the track damage was remedied. From Thursday, the route will be available for long -distance transport again and is to be better busy with a new timetable. This offer will help reduce the pressure on the passengers. The trains will depart at the main train stations at the usual time, but passengers must continue to expect longer travel times, as the trains have to drive slower through the Wienerwald.
The submission of ÖBB and Westbahn data shows that trains are now running four times an hour between Vienna and Salzburg. The Railjet trains will now drive west every quarter of an hour. Although the UVP problem (environmental impact assessment) is an obstacle for the construction sites, the situation now seems to be under control and passengers can hope for regular train traffic again.
For interested readers, noe.orf.at Further exciting information and insight into the future development of the rail connections.
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