photo: ÖBB press materials/Austria is about to invest EUR 18.2 billion in the rail network
ÖBB framework plan 2022 – 2027 with a EUR 18.2 billion grant for the development and sustenance of the Austrian rail network just has been approved by the Austrian Council of Ministers. In the upcoming six years, the government will annually grant EUR 3 billion to provide an extended and modernized infrastructure, which will bring a considerable addition to climate protection. The grants will provide high standard transport services for passengers and will play an important role as an economic engine for Austrian companies. Compared to 2020, the ambitious infrastructure program is increased by an estimated EUR 700 million.
The modernization of the railway infrastructure in Austria will allow more trains on the rail network offering better and faster connections for rail commuters.
“The new master plan will make rail travel in Austria even better and more efficient. Investments in the large main routes bring faster connections between the large metropolitan areas of Austria. In addition to the large main routes, the regional railways will be made even more attractive and electrified. This makes switching to rail more interesting in rural areas as well. This is again for the passengers and for the environment,” the CEO of ÖBB Andreas Matthä said.
The ÖBB framework plan includes five additional projects:
- The financing of the planning for double-track construction of Herzogenburg – St. Pölten section on Tullnerfeld railway line is guaranteed. With this important measure for the Lower Austrian central area, a long-standing demand of the region is considered.
- The plans for the double-track expansion of the Werndorf – Spielfeld-Straß line are being brought forward, to increase the number of cycles along the southern line coming from Graz.
- The financing for the expansion of all four sections of the Pyhrnachse line including the new Bosruck tunnel is provided securing the plans for Kirchdorf an der Krems – Micheldorf project.
- The financing is ensured for the construction on the Brenner northern access covering the four-track expansion between Schaftenau and Radfeld junction (Austrian section) in the Lower Inn Valley.
- Some junction stations will be expanded to be able to accommodate longer trains and more passengers in the future. The plan includes Villach Hbf, Ried im Innkreis, Innbruck Hbf and Imst-Pitztal stations.
Following the investments, ÖBB will also extend the electrification program and the increasing attractiveness of the local rail connections.
“The largest railway expansion package in the republic will be topped up again. (…) This is an important building block for more climate protection. Because a modern network and a cheap KlimaTicket make public transport more attractive than ever before. And every kilometer by train protects our climate,” Leonore Gewessler the Minister of Climate Action said.
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