📋 Tender Overview
Upgrade of the Vienna S-Bahn main line: more capacity, more comfort
Noticeable improvements for commuters
OBB creates new living space in attractive locations
(Vienna, December 29, 2025) - 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 2026, OBB will specifically invest around 414 million euros in a strong infrastructure as the basis for a viable public transport offering.
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 Koralmbahn, which recently went into operation or the future Semmering Base Tunnel, result in a sustainable strengthening of the location and are international flagships for the railway country Austria, emphasizes Peter Hanke, Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure.
Andreas Mattha, CEO of OBB-Holding, emphasizes: A high-performance railway is needed 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.
Upgrade for the S-Bahn Vienna main line
In order to make the main route fit for the future, the section from Vienna Praterstern to Vienna Floridsdorf will be closed for the last time in the summer months; in August there will be further restrictions on the northern connecting routes. As was the case last year, a comprehensive rail replacement service with several lines will once again be offered. When school starts at the beginning of September, the 14-month main closure between Vienna Central Station and Vienna Praterstern begins immediately afterwards. By October 2027, structures and supporting structures in this section will be renewed, platforms extended and the digital train control system ETCS Level 2 implemented. This means that longer trains with more seats can be used in the future. Passengers benefit from greater comfort and more reliable rail operations.
Start of construction for connecting railway still open
The appeal proceedings against the EIA decision are still pending before the Federal Administrative Court for the planned increase in the attractiveness of the connecting railway between Vienna Hutteldorf and Vienna Meidling.
After construction was unable to start in September 2025 as planned, the implementation plan was extensively evaluated and revised in recent months and coordinated with several other ongoing and planned infrastructure projects in and around Vienna, so that if the appeal process is concluded soon, implementation from 2026 with an adjusted construction process appears possible. The process is currently expected to be completed in early 2026. If this is the case, details of the specific implementation schedule will then be publicly communicated.
Investments for thousands of commuters
In order to prepare the railway network of the rapidly growing federal capital for current and future requirements, several reinvestment and maintenance measures are planned in Vienna, for example along the suburban line S45 between Vienna Hernals and Vienna Handelskai. Switches are being replaced at Vienna Hutteldorf station, and extensive 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.
Further construction is underway on the so-called Kledering loops, which are intended to ensure an intersection-free connection between the S7 and the Ostbahn in the area of the city limits near Kledering. This will increase the performance of both routes and strengthen the connection to Vienna Airport. Due to the necessary track realignments, only some long-distance trains can run between Vienna Central Station and Vienna Airport from July 10th to 27th, 2026. A rail replacement service with buses will be set up for trains on the RJ line, and trains on the RJX line will run as usual.
Future projects on rail
The environmental impact assessment for the airport span, the planned new high-performance route between Vienna Airport and Bruck an der Leitha, will continue in 2026. The airport link connects the airport to the international high-performance route network and will in future enable fast and direct local and regional transport connections between Vienna and the eastern Lower Austria/Northern Burgenland region. This improves the transport offerings for commuters in particular.
Also for the four-track expansion between Vienna Meidling and Modling, which will in future have a more frequent S-Bahn service and the new Vienna Ben stopsyastrasse and Brunn Europaring, the planning continues.
Vienna South freight center is being expanded
Investments are also being made in additional capacity for freight transport: in 2026, construction work will continue for the final expansion stage, Phase 2, of the Vienna South freight center. With the expansion, terminal capacity can be increased by 44% at the end of 2026.
OBB creates space for new urban districts
The OBB is one of the largest property owners in Austria and therefore bears particular responsibility for the development of inner-city areas. By merging freight stations and modernizing rail operations, areas in prime locations are becoming available. There, the OBB makes a decisive contribution to the creation of housing: with the exception of the city itself, no other property owner in Vienna has achieved as much in this area over the pa
