ÖBB unveils major infrastructure projects
ÖBB-Infrastruktur, the infrastructure division of Austrian Federal Railways, has outlined several priorities for the current year. Its main focus will be devoted to the eastern part of Austria. The company plans to invest around 670 million euros in infrastructure projects in Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland.
Among three regions, ÖBB-Infrastruktur will target most attention to Vienna as the busiest and the most important railway junction in the country. To this end, one of the projects will be dedicated to the Pottendorfer Line between Vienna and Wiener Neustadt. The company plans to convert this vital route into the four-track railway by 2023. This year the works are scheduled for the second section near the Ebreichsdorf railway station.
Also, the capacity of the Vienna Meidling – Vienna Mödling and Vienna Hütteldorf – Vienna Meidling lines will be increased. These measures will result in the launch of more frequent S-Bahn services in Vienna. In addition, the modernisation works will be continued out on the northeastward line from Vienna-Süßenbrunn to Bernhardsthal.
Other priorities
This year will be crucial for the railway services between Vienna and Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. The Gänserndorf – Marchegg section will be electrified. As a result, the entire journey between two capitals can be provided by the electric trains. It is also planned to increase the train speed on this route up to 200 kilometres per hour on the Austrian side and up to 120 kilometres per hour on the Slovak side.
At the same time, ÖBB-Infrastruktur will continue the works to construct the Semmering Base Tunnel. The latter will reduce the passenger train service between Vienna and Graz to less than two hours and will improve the competitiveness of the rail freight connections. This tunnel will be completed by 2027. Moreover, ÖBB-Infrastruktur will increase its Park & Ride facilities. Inter alia, there will be added around 1,500 new P&R places in the eastern parts of Austria. The infrastructure for the electric vehicles will be expanded with the new charging points.
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