ÖBB construction plans for a connecting railway: felling trees, waiting times increase!

ÖBB construction plans for a connecting railway: felling trees, waiting times increase!

The discussion about ÖBB's plans for a connecting railway in Vienna continues to keep people in the region on edge. Despite the efforts to create an attractive west-east connection with the S80, the concerns and concerns of many residents have not gone unheard. The planned start of construction was originally scheduled for autumn 2023, but reality differs from this schedule.

The final construction phase, which is intended to provide better transport services, can only begin later. While ÖBB is optimistic about the future and expects that work can begin from September 2025, there are still some hurdles to overcome. A ruling by the Federal Administrative Court is pending, which could put additional strain on the schedule. District leader Johanna Sperker from the ÖVP is concerned about the situation, as there has been no legally binding EIA decision to date.

Transport infrastructure and benefits for the population

The ÖBB project includes making the connecting railway more attractive as part of the inner-city rapid transit network, which is intended to create a continuous route from Vienna Hütteldorf via Meidling and the main train station to Seestadt Aspern. The planned construction of new stops provides for a total of 400 covered bicycle parking spaces in order to expand the offering for cyclists. In addition, connections to all five Vienna subway lines will be made possible in order to speed up access to the city center. The closer intervals of the S-Bahn are intended to shorten travel times and thus significantly improve the public transport offering.

Another plus of the project is the closure of all six gated level crossings in Hietzing, which are currently closed for an average of 15 to 20 minutes per hour. The new connection will also create barrier-free crossing options. This is a big step in the right direction to make mobility easier for commuters and residents. However, if the S-Bahn runs every 15 minutes, there could be long waiting times at the closed barriers, which must be taken into account by those responsible.

Criticism of tree planting and environmental protection

Despite the positive aspects of the project, there are also critical voices, particularly from the “Connection Railway Better” initiative, which complains that the trees to be felled were not adequately counted. To ensure environmental protection, ÖBB also plans to cover the costs of tree planting on private property, as public land is rare in the area. The trees should be planted up to 1,000 meters away from the route of the connecting railway. Information about the tree plantings is expected to be made available on the ÖBB website at the end of June.

If ÖBB's ambitious plans are ultimately implemented, it could not only improve the quality of life in the region, but also make a contribution to modern urban development. It is obvious that the voices of residents should not be ignored and must continue to be incorporated into the planning process in the future.