📋 Tender Overview
OBB will continue its modernization program in Eastern Austria in 2026. Investments in modern and comfortable stations are part of the program, as are comprehensive services on routes. In this way, OBB is making targeted investments in a strong infrastructure as the basis for a viable public transport offering.
(St. Polten, December 29, 2025) - Investments in the Austrian railway network are not only an essential prerequisite for the mobility transition, but also an important driver for the domestic economy. Important projects such as the recently commissioned Koralmbahn or, in the future, the Semmering Base Tunnel, will sustainably strengthen the location and are international flagships for Austria as a railway country, says Peter Hanke, Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure.
Andreas Mattha, CEO of OBB-Holding: We need an efficient railway to meet the future demands on peoples mobility in the long term. In addition to the major projects for international passenger and freight transport, this also includes reinvestment and attractiveness measures across the entire network and in particular in modern train stations and attractive local transport for commuters. The following applies: we are a reliable partner for our passengers even during the construction work.
Investments for thousands of commuters
In total, 839 million euros will be invested in Lower Austria alone in 2026 (according to the 2025-2030 framework plan). Maintenance work continues continuously along the western route. Switches are being replaced at Vienna Hutteldorf station and the platforms at Durrwien station are being replaced. In 2026, an existing natural stone vault between Durrwien and Rekawinkel will be replaced with a reinforced concrete structure and the bottleneck on the B44 will be significantly defused. The B44 must be closed during the main construction phase on the underpass. A diversion will be set up and drivers will have to prepare for longer journey times. At the same time, walls and drainage systems will be renewed. Work is entering the home stretch for the new, barrier-free Maria Anzbach train station on the Old West Line, which will be completed in spring 2026. Work begins in Neulengbach on the construction of an electronic signal box and overhead lines.
Planning for the modernization of the Ollersbach stop and the closure of four railway crossings in the area up to Boheimkirchen is still in full swing. In the western Mostviertel between St. Peter-Seitenstetten and St. Johann-Weistrach, tracks will be renewed in 2026.
Quickly to the south
There are also numerous projects on the agenda for 2026 from Vienna towards the south. Planning continues for the four-track expansion between Vienna Meidling and Modling. Work on the four-track northern entrance to Wiener Neustadter Hauptbahnhof is progressing according to plan. This will prepare the strategically important hub for the increasing number of trains heading south when the Koralmbahn opens. The city is one of the hubs with the most train stops in Austria. In 2025, most of the work will move from outside the track area to the tracks and behind the noise barriers. This means less disruption for numerous residents. The further attractiveness of the Pottendorfer line has already gained full momentum. On the Semmering Railway, the renovation of the Kalte Rinne viaduct will continue during ongoing operations, and there will be changes to the timetable.
The construction of the Semmering Base Tunnel is well advanced and will go into operation in 2030 and is the last big piece of the puzzle in the southern route expansion. Work on the technical tunnel equipment will continue in 2026.
Modern routes for modern requirements
Work will continue intensively along the most important routes from Vienna towards the Weinviertel and Waldviertel in 2026. Work is taking place on the Franz-Josefs-Bahn between Vienna Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof and Vienna Heiligenstadt. The Vienna Spittelau stop is being modernized; extensive track construction work is necessary to ensure that train traffic continues to be quiet and safe. Large-scale maintenance and track construction work will again be carried out between Kritzendorf and St. Andra-Wordern in 2026. As the route continues, the overhead line between Absdorf-Hippersdorf and Sigmundsherberg will be adapted to higher train speeds, track work will begin between Limberg-Maissau and Eggenburg and railway crossings will be renewed up to Gmund. Work on modernizing the train station will also begin in Limberg-Maissau, while Sigmundsherberg train station will be completed in spring 2026. At the same time, maintenance work on switches and tracks is taking place on the Krems branch of the Franz Josef Railway.
At the same time, the official procedure for the direct connection from Horn to the Franz Josef Railway as well as the planning for the selective double-track expansion of the Franz Josef Railway are continuing. Once all measures have been completed, trains from Gmund will travel up to ten minutes faster to Vienna. The travel time from Horn to Vienna is even shortened by up to 15 minutes.
Along the Nordwestbahn you will find in Gollersdorf and Hollabtrack work is taking place. The modernization of the Kamptalbahn will also continue in 2026. Work on the electrification of the line along the Traisentalbahn is entering the next construction phase. The prerequisites for a daily regular timetable with timetable consolidation are created here.
Strong expansion east of Vienna
Necessary investments will again be made on the airport expressway in 2026. In addition to maintenance work on the route, we are modernizing the Maria Ellend station by building new platforms.
The new Himberg train station is entering the home stretch and is scheduled to open in November 2026. Before that, there will be more extensive restrictions and rail replacement services on the Eastern Railway line from March 8th to June 21st, 2026. At the sam
