Koralm Railway: Completion of Austria’s 130km Infrastructure Milestone by December 2025

Koralm Railway: Completion of Austria’s 130km Infrastructure Milestone by December 2025

December 1, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor World

Koralm Railway: Final Section Completion Ahead

The Koralm Railway, a major infrastructure project in Austria, is on track for completion after 26 years of work. The last section, part of a 130km railway connecting Graz and Klagenfurt, will finish in November, with operations expected to start in December 2025.

Key Features of Koralm Railway

  • Passenger Travel: The railway will significantly reduce travel time. Trips from Graz to Klagenfurt will take only 45 minutes, down from three hours. Connections between Vienna and Klagenfurt will decrease from 3 hours and 51 minutes to 2 hours and 40 minutes.

  • Engineering Highlights: The Koralm Tunnel, spanning 32.8 km, is the centerpiece, making it the third longest tunnel in Europe. The tunnel’s excavation concluded in 2020. The first passenger train went through it in June 2023.

  • Project Significance: The railway features 50 km of tunnels, over 100 bridges, and 23 stations. This includes new and upgraded stations, enhancing regional connectivity. The West Styria station will complete its upgrades by spring 2025.

Operational Plans

ÖBB, the Austrian Federal Railways, plans over 70 test runs covering 15,000 km with trains reaching speeds of 250 km/h. Driver training, simulator exercises, and emergency drills are in progress.

Broader Impact

The Koralm Railway is part of the Baltic-Adriatic Corridor within the EU’s transport framework. This project enhances Europe’s transport infrastructure, promoting sustainable and efficient travel.

Andreas Mättha, CEO of ÖBB, expressed pride in the project, stating it revolutionizes public transport and offers a sustainable future for regional mobility.

In summary, the Koralm Railway represents a significant advancement in Austrian transportation, promising improved connectivity, faster travel times, and environmentally friendly operations.