Commutor Chaos threatens – “new” Western track blocked for weeks from Monday

As announced, the route in the Vienna part -St. Pölten with Atzenbrugger and Lainzer -Tunnel and the Tullnerfeld train station will be closed again. Repair work and dismantling provides must be carried out. From Monday 12 May to 5 June the trains run on the “old” Western Track. The travel time is therefore extended by 30 minutes.

The ÖBB said that there will be “long -distance restrictions in advance”. For passengers in long -distance transport, the number of train connections remains approximately the same during the coming lock, according to the Federal Railways. The rail jets of the western route will continue to drive directly through Vienna HBF from/to the Airport of Vienna.

“Large effects” on local transport
In local transport west of Vienna and within Vienna, the connections are partially reorganized. “In the course of the detour from long-distance and freight traffic via alternative routes (Old Western Route, Tullnerfeldbahn, Connecting Railway), limitations are unfortunately inevitable,” the ÖBB regrets. “Despite the limited availability of the route, as many connections as possible are offered.” Nevertheless, the lock had “big impact on local transport in the Otregion”.

Mikl-Leitner: “Sufficient preparation time”
It is the “central lifeline of public transport in the eastern region”, Gouverneur Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP) emphasized. She referred to the “sufficient preparation time” of the federal railways and reminded it of the understanding of many last fall “for the flood -related train errors and the far too low rail replacement capacities of ÖBB”.

Landbauer requires punctuality
The ban on the western railway line meets Pendler and students “with full force,” said deputy state councilor Udo Landbauer (FPö). “The ÖBB must provide clear and reliable passenger information so that people have planning protection.” And sufficient replacement capacities are needed. “Under no circumstances should the chaotic circumstances of last year repeat and the western route should not become a permanent construction site,” said Landbauer.

“Christmas wunder” in December
After the floods, the ÖBB had caused a “Christmas wonder” and released the route through the Tullnerfeld on December 15, 2024 after three months. This was made possible because the warehouse of the spare parts throughout Austria also emptied and – in accordance with the security standards – some provisional solutions were installed.

New components for Tunnel Atzenbrugg
According to the ÖBB, for example, these are now dismantled in the Atzenbrugg tunnel, which is seriously influenced by the flood and replaced by new components. In addition, elements of mobile flood protection are installed to give the building from the neighborhood and tested for an emergency. Last but not least, the substructure and superstructure of the western route in the underwax area near the Pertchling are renewed.

Tullnerfeld Train Station is flooded
According to the Federal Railways, the Tullnerfeld train station, which was heavily hit, is also flooded. For this purpose, lines and distributors from the construction services are set higher than before. The 25-day end of the “new” western route is also used to expand the platforms in the hold.

Working in the Lainz tunnel
After the 1000-year flood, the work on the Vienna River takes place in the Lainz tunnel, which cannot be performed during the current operation. Cable guides are sealed and security systems are being renewed. In addition, elements of food, such as distributors boxes, are laid in higher positions along the walls. In the rise Hall Hadersdorf, the superstructure, soft and tracks are replaced. Moreover, the tunnel radio system has been modernized and expanded, the ÖBB reported.