"New" Westbahn Line Must Be Closed for 25 Days

After the storm disaster of September 2024, the "new" western railway line in the section Vienna - St. Pölten with Atzenbrugger and Lainzer Tunnel as well as Tullnerfeld station will be closed again for 25 days as announced for repair work and dismantling of temporary structures.

Train traffic runs over "old" connection during closure

Traffic will run from Monday (May 12) to June 5 again on the "old" connection through the Vienna Woods. The travel time to and from the west will thus be extended by 30 minutes.

There will be "restrictions in long-distance and local transport," the ÖBB announced in advance of the closure of the route through the Tullnerfeld, which was already announced before the turn of the year. It is the "central lifeline of public transport in the eastern region," emphasized Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP) in a statement sent to the APA. Commuters would expect "reliable and appropriate alternatives." Mikl-Leitner referred in this context to the "sufficient preparation time" of the federal railways and recalled the understanding of many last autumn "for the flood-related train cancellations and the far too low rail replacement capacities of the ÖBB."

Landbauer demands punctuality from ÖBB

The closure of the western railway line hits commuters and students "with full force," explained Transport Provincial Councilor Deputy Governor Udo Landbauer (FPÖ). "The ÖBB must provide clear and reliable passenger information so that people have planning security." For the construction site schedule, Landbauer demanded punctuality, "so that no one is left behind." And there needs to be sufficient replacement capacities. "The chaotic conditions of last year must not be repeated under any circumstances, and the western route must not become a permanent construction site," the deputy governor continued.

Route closure due to repair work and dismantling of temporary structures

After the floods, the ÖBB provided a "Christmas miracle" and reopened the route through the Tullnerfeld on December 15, 2024, after a three-month closure. This was made possible because spare parts warehouses throughout Austria were emptied and - while adhering to safety standards - some provisional solutions were installed. According to the ÖBB, these will now be dismantled in the Atzenbrugg tunnel, which was heavily affected by the flood, and replaced with new components. Additionally, mobile flood protection elements will be installed to seal off the structure and tested for emergencies. Last but not least, the substructure and superstructure of the western route in the undermined area near the Perschling will be renewed.

Flood Protection Will Be Improved During the Works

The heavily affected Tullnerfeld station will also be flood-protected according to the federal railways. For this purpose, lines and distributors of building services will be set higher than before. The 25-day closure of the "new" western route will also be used to extend the platforms at the stop.

In the Lainzer Tunnel, work is being carried out after the 1,000-year flood on the Wien River, which cannot be done during ongoing operations. Cable penetrations will be sealed and safety systems renewed. Additionally, elements of the power supply, such as distribution boxes, will be relocated to higher positions along the walls. In the Hadersdorf switch hall, the superstructure, switches, and tracks will be replaced. Additionally, the tunnel radio system will be modernized and expanded, reported the ÖBB on the "bundle of measures".

Changes in the Timetable Mainly in Local Traffic

For long-distance passengers, the number of train connections will remain approximately the same during the upcoming closure, according to the federal railways. The Railjets of the western route will mostly continue to run directly via Vienna Hbf to/from Vienna Airport. Direct connections on the southern route from Graz Hbf to the airport in Schwechat cannot be offered temporarily.

In local traffic west of Vienna and within Vienna, connections will be partially reorganized. "In the course of rerouting long-distance and freight traffic via alternative routes (old western route, Tullnerfeld railway, connecting railway), restrictions are unfortunately unavoidable," regret the ÖBB. "Despite limited route availability, as many connections as possible will be offered." Nevertheless, the closure has "a major impact on local traffic in the eastern region".

On the lines S80, S50, CJX5, REX50, REX51, R40, S40, and S4, there will be timetable changes and train cancellations as well as partial rail replacement services (SEV). The SEV lines "are marked with a color guidance system" and are, among others, operating in both directions on the routes Tullnerfeld - St. Pölten and Tullnerfeld - Tulln, the ÖBB announced. Passengers of the S80 (Vienna Hütteldorf - Vienna Hbf) and S50 as well as REX50 (Vienna Hütteldorf - Vienna Westbahnhof) can use the offer of the Vienna lines. ÖBB tickets are recognized on partial routes of subway (U3, U4, U6) and tram lines (6, 18).

The changed timetables for the period from May 12 to June 5 are available in ÖBB Scotty and at www.oebb.at/de/fahrplan/baustelleninformation/bauarbeiten-weststrecke.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.