| Work Detail |
ÖBB has announced that work on the Tauern Tunnel is back on schedule for the reopening in July, despite major technical challenges. This is an important step to begin the second construction phase in the Gastein Valley, while the modernisation of the Tauern railway line is in full swing. At the end of 2024, part of the vault at the northern portal of the Tauern Tunnel gave way during construction work. But ÖBB and their contracted construction companies were able to make up for the time lost, of around one week, thanks to the intensive efforts of all parties involved. As a result, the Tauern Tunnel and the Tauern Line are currently scheduled to be opened for rail traffic on July 14, 2025. The 8,371m long Tauern Tunnel was put into operation in 1909 and in 2004 tunnel safety and track construction work was carried out. Around 20 years later, the tunnel needs to be modernised and made fit for the future transport and capacity demand. The next phase of construction work in the Gastein Valley began on March 3rd with extensive station and route modernisations. In addition to the renovation of the Tauern Tunnel, the Tauern North Ramp between the Schwarzach-St. Veit and Bad Gastein stations will now also be completely modernised by the beginning of July and prepared for the requirements of future rail traffic. The Bad Gastein, Bad Hofgastein and Dorfgastein stations will in future act as calling cards for the tourist resorts to give locals and guests an appealing impression. At the same time, viaducts, soundproof walls and retaining walls are being renovated along the route and the rail infrastructure is being brought up to date. Synergies from the necessary closure of the Tauern Tunnel will thus be optimally used to offer passengers a reliable and modern rail infrastructure in the future. To keep the construction short as possible in the interests of passengers, work is being carried out at many construction sites in the Gastein Valley at the same time. The railway line between Schwarzach-St. Veit and Bad Gastein will therefore be closed from March 3rd to July 13th, 2025 inclusive. Despite construction work, ÖBB will offer a reliable bus service in the Gastein Valley buses between Schwarzach-St. Veit and Bad Gastein during this period. From April 11th, 2025, the bike shuttle will supplement the service for users of the Alpe-Adria cycle path and will run in addition to the existing commuter shuttle between Bad Gastein and Mallnitz. The Tauern route Salzburg – Villach is, alongside the Brenner axis, the most important Austrian rail link crossing the Alps and is therefore a main axis of Alpine transit. The core of the route is the approximately 81-km-long Tauern railway from Schwarzach im Pongau to Spittal an der Drau in Carinthia. With the commissioning of the Koralmbahn, the implementation of the integrated timetable and the associated expansion of services, the north-south connection is becoming significantly more important in long-distance traffic. Over the next few years, the Tauern route will be prepared step by step for future, high-level long-distance traffic, making travel even more comfortable. |
