The damage caused by the flooding at the Pilgramgasse U2 construction site is enormous: construction machines and tunnel excavators have been destroyed and construction work in the federal capital has been temporarily halted. The “Krone” was located in the metro tunnel during a local inspection.
The flood was a challenge for Vienna. The fact that the city has weathered the situation well is due to the proactive flood protection of the past decades and the quick action of those responsible and emergency units that initiated comprehensive measures.
In fact, it was thought that damage to public transport infrastructure could be kept to a minimum. But now, after more than two weeks of intensive clean-up work, the devastating scale has become visible. The damage to the U2 construction site in Pilgramgasse is enormous!
Despite protective measures, massive water intrusion
The massive ingress of water destroyed the special construction machines and vehicles in the shaft on the Rechte Wienzeile. A total of 19,000 cubic meters of water entered the construction site on September 15. The employees had to leave the construction site at that time. The water in the shaft was 10 meters high. The masses of water and sludge then had to be pumped and removed from the shaft for days. Although a flood protection wall was installed on the Vienna River.
But it gets worse: the huge bodies of water from the thousand-year flood have also damaged the bottom of the Vienna River in parts of the U2 construction area. However, to be able to carry out the tunnel work, an intact sole is necessary. The banks of the Vienna River serve as a working platform on which construction equipment is also dumped. During the on-site inspection of “Krone” on Wednesday, the last large special machines, such as drilling rigs and tunnel excavators, were dismantled and lifted from the construction site with a crane.
Is there a risk of further construction delays?
It was only in August 2024 that it was announced that the opening of the U2 at Matzleinsdorfer Platz would be postponed until 2030, more than two years later than planned. Due to “geological challenges” and also due to water intrusion. Construction costs also exploded: the first construction phase of the billion-dollar project will be up to 300 million euros more expensive. And when will the U2 finally run between the Karlsplatz and Schottentor stations again? According to public transport councilor Peter Hanke (SPÖ), the U2 should run continuously again “at the end of October plus maybe two weeks”.
Now the Wiener Linien must work with the construction companies to purchase replacement equipment so that work can resume here as quickly as possible. The only thing that is certain is that there will be months of construction delays in the Pilgramgasse area. Neither the financial size nor the time impact on the overall project can be stated at this time. Together with the construction companies and the MA45 (Vienna Waters) we are working on a solution for quick repairs in the construction sector.
“There are currently eight major construction sites. The teams deployed here were moved. Construction must not be delayed. We don’t want to waste time,” said Gudrun Senk, board member of Wiener Linien.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
