Tunnel Breakthrough in Vienna: First Tube of the New U2 Completed
The expansion of the Vienna subway network as part of the U2xU5 project has reached a significant milestone. The tunnel boring machine named "Debohra" has successfully excavated the first of two planned route tunnels. After approximately two kilometers of underground work, the machine stopped as planned at Augustinplatz in Vienna-Neubau.
First Tunnel Tube for U2 Construction Completed
Since its start in September 2024 at Matzleinsdorfer Platz, the approximately 1,300-ton machine with a cutting wheel of seven meters in diameter has worked its way through the Vienna underground. In the process, 83,000 cubic meters of soil were removed and 1,495 segment rings with a total of 8,970 segments were installed. On average, Debohra advanced about ten meters per day.
The new U2 route will connect four stations in the future: Matzleinsdorfer Platz, Reinprechtsdorfer Straße, Pilgramgasse, and Neubaugasse. A track change and an emergency exit are planned at Augustinplatz, but a stop is not planned here.
Expansion for More Passengers and Climate Protection
The expansion of public transport is considered a central infrastructure project for Vienna. "Debohra has reached its first goal – a real milestone on the way to implementing Vienna's largest climate protection project," explains Vienna's City Councilor for Mobility, Ulli Sima. According to the city, the project is expected to transport up to 300 million additional passengers annually.
Monika Unterholzner, Deputy Director General of Wiener Stadtwerke, also emphasizes the importance of the project: "The U2xU5 public transport expansion is a strong impetus for our infrastructure and sustainable mobility in Vienna."
Preparations for the Second Tunnel Section
Before work on the second tunnel tube can begin, the machine will be serviced, partially dismantled, and brought back to Matzleinsdorfer Platz. The start for the second drive is scheduled for autumn 2025. The subsequent tunnel section between Augustinplatz and Rathaus will be constructed conventionally with excavators due to geological conditions. The commissioning of the entire route is planned for 2030, and in a further construction phase, the U2 is to be extended to Wienerberg.
"After the construction of the first tunnel, of course, comes the construction of the second tunnel tube," says Gudrun Senk of Wiener Linien, "but we are confident that we will also successfully meet this challenge."
(Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.