The Karwendel route will be renewed by ÖBB by 2035. The 33 viaduct arches built in 1910 are also due for replacement. Several spectators did not miss the opportunity on Tuesday to witness a milestone in the construction work on the Inntal Viaduct in Innsbruck.
Because at the Wi-Fi in Innsbruck, the first eight of a total of 31 obsolete arches along the Karwendel route have been replaced by new ones. The viaduct, which originally consisted of 33 arches, was built in 1910. ÖBB is responsible for the major project. “The planning started in the spring of 2021. Due to the monument protection, several attempts were necessary to imitate the character of the old arches,” recalls Christian Wieser, Regional Manager of SAE ÖBB Infrastructure AG.
Ultimately, the choice was made to use reinforced concrete. The colossus was also etched with hydrochloric acid. “Technically and economically that was the best method,” explains Wieser.
100 cubic meters of concrete, 35 tons of structural steel
The pace is impressive. The route was closed on July 15. “On August 22, the first train will run on the Karwendel section again.” But back to the eight arches, which consist of one part and weigh a whopping 2,200 tons: they consist of 100 cubic meters of concrete and contain 35 tons of structural material. steel. The go-ahead for construction, which took place on the side, was on April 4 of this year.
With seven hydraulic presses, which have a working pressure of 400 bar, the entire construction was pushed inwards. It took the construction workers about an hour to do this. 6.5 meters had to be overcome. Afterwards, the spectators applauded.
Completion 2035, lifespan 100 years
A total of eleven million euros will be spent this year on the renewal of the Karwendel route – construction is also underway on other routes. Eight more arches will be replaced by new ones in 2025 and the rest in 2035. How long will the viaduct last? “The technical life span is 100 years”, Wieser calculates when asked by “Krone”. Although he believes the arches will last even 150 years.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
