Suche
ÖBB starts building offensive: railway modernization with billions of billions!
ÖBB will start a building offensive with 19.7 billion euros by 2030, which is expected to lead to route closures. Important projects such as the Koralmahn shorten travel times and promote climate protection. Find out more about timetable changes!
ÖBB starts building offensive: railway modernization with billions of billions!
The basic changes in Austria's transport system are in the starting blocks. The ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) launched an ambitious construction program, which is endowed with a proud 19.7 billion euros by 2030. Extensive route closures can be expected, especially in the coming months, especially in 2025. Over 1.2 billion euros flow into the network expansion of the eastern region to make the rail infrastructure fit for the upcoming mobility transition, such as Express stock exchange reported.
The big goal behind these investments? To get more traffic onto the rails and at the same time to support the climate goals. One of the most important projects is the Koralbahn, which is scheduled to go into operation in December 2025. This connection shortens the travel time between Graz and Klagenfurt to just 45 minutes, which significantly improves the accessibility of West Styria and South Carinthia and also strengthens the connection to neighboring countries. In the case of goods transport, each ton of freight on the rail can cause around 30 times less CO2 emissions than in the transport of truck, which makes the Koralbahn additional attractive, such as ÖBB infrastructure explained.
Temporary route closures
But the comprehensive modernizations also bring with them some inconvenience. Important main routes are temporarily blocked, with the four-track expansion of the south route between Vienna Meidling and Mödling affected for a 5-minute cycle. This project will lead to timetable changes and rail replacement traffic until October - the lines Rex6, S60 and Rex62 are affected. Himberg train station will be completely out of operation by November 2026.
In the period from October 6 to November 2, the Arlberg route will be completely blocked, while the connection between Ötztal-Bahnhof and Bludenz is interrupted for one month. A bus replacement traffic is set up here. The Ennstal route in Styria was also closed in early October - buses took over the transport of travelers during this time.
Investments and further projects
The comprehensive investments are an important economic impulse, especially in times of tense federal budgets. A framework plan was fixed on a solid level by 2030. However, some projects could be postponed in time, whereby the expansion of important train stations and accessibility measures is not neglected. In September 2023, for example, the newly built Ebreichsdorf train station was put into operation on the Pottendorf line - another step towards modernization.
Particular attention is paid to the Semmering base tunnel, the construction of which is already in full swing. More than 26 of the 27.3 kilometers of the two -tier tunnel are already dug here. The electrification of the Marchegger Ostbahn was completed at the end of 2022 and is considered one of the largest electrifications in recent years. All train stations in this area were also modernized and equipped with Park & Ride and Bike & Ride places.
The ÖBB advises passengers to regularly inform themselves about current timetables and proactively accompany this conversion. The construction work is ultimately a step into the future - with the aim of modernizing the rail network and making even more environmentally friendly. The course for extensive transport and climate jewelers are already set, as well as Webbb determined.