AUSTRIAN Federal Railways (ÖBB) has reached a significant milestone in the construction of the 27.3km twin-bore Semmering Base Tunnel connecting Gloggnitz with Mürzzuschlag. For the first time since tunnel boring began almost 15 years ago, an official delegation has travelled the entire length of the tunnel from Lower Austria to Styria, albeit in a road vehicle.
The trip was led by Austria’s mobility minister, Peter Hanke, and ÖBB CEO, Andreas Matthä. They were accompanied by Doris Bures, president of Austria’s National Council, the lower house of Parliament and one of the tunnel's three promoters.
Tunnel boring was completed in November 2024, and a contract to fit out the tunnel was awarded in June 2024 followed by a contract to lay slab track in March 2025.
“Work is currently focused on the technical tunnel equipment and final work on the concrete inner lining in the Gloggnitz section and in the area of the emergency shafts at Fröschnitzgraben,” ÖBB says. “Due to the tunnel's enormous dimensions, this work will take over three years before trains can begin running through it.”
“From the end of 2029, Vienna and Graz will be connected in approximately 1h 50min," Matthä says. The current journey time is 2h 36min due to the low speeds ranging from 60 to 80km/h on the existing tortuous line through the Semmering Pass, whereas the base tunnel is designed for 230km/h operation.
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