📋 Tender Overview
2,000 tons of heavy, listed component successfully positioned
50 measures for security and comfort on the mountain range
Trains drive again as planned from September 1st
(Innsbruck - 14.08. 2025) Since February of this year, eight new arches have been growing up right next to the Karwendelbahn line in the western Innsbruck. After more than 110 years of operation, OBB build the so -called Inn Valley Viaduct between the Karwendel Bridge and the Innsbruck Westbahnhof. Today, on August 14, 2025, the highlight of the work this year was imminent: by means of strong hydraulic cylinder, specialists have inserted its final position of the listed building - a real milestone for the infrastructure of the Karwendelbahn. With this method, the time of the lock could be kept as short as possible.
Modernization with respect for history
With the construction of the viaduct, OBB implement a long -term renovation concept. The southernmost section was renewed as early as 2022. Now eight other arches followed, which were designed in close coordination with the Federal Monument Office. In their external appearance, the new concrete structures correspond to the historical building fabric and at the same time enable safe and modern rail operations.
Technical masterpiece in close corset
The installation of the approximately 2,000 -ton building was hydraulically - with up to 40 tons of traction per cylinder. The new arches were prefabricated on the side on a shelter and, during the route that runs until September 1, successfully brought the sheet structure, as heavy as 23 Taurus locomotives, covered the approximately 6 meters in a cross-survey in just under an hour. All in all, or are on the construction site:
2,500 m3 of concrete structure removed
8 new arches installed
365.8 m2 structural plate manufactured as a finished part
70 running meters of random beam prefabricated
100 running meter track including gravel bed re -laid
3 overhead line masts including the overhead line adapted
1,200 m2 street area redesigned
New lighting installed under the arches
Working on the entire route
The Inn Valley Viaduct is the largest but not the only measure that the OBB 2025 implement on the Karwendel route. Rather, the entire mountain railway became the construction site. For example, the platforms at the LeiThen and Giessenbach stops are renewed, protective buildings are supplemented and reinforced as well as switches, rails and thresholds re -fired.
Logistics is a special challenge: the route has climbing up to 38 per thousand, tight corners and is difficult to reach with road vehicles. Since demolition of the old viaduct arches at the WiFi in Innsbruck at the end of July, the access to access by train has also been interrupted. Therefore, building materials, machines and devices had to be brought to their scene with over 250 train journeys. Since then, up to 100 people have been working on various projects at the same time. The weather also plays a crucial role in high alpine construction sites. In total there are around 50 individual measures on the approximately 30 kilometers. With todays insertion, another step towards sustainable renewal of the Karwendelbahn has been done. Further sections of the viaduct are planned for the 2030s. As planned, train traffic will be resumed on September 1st.
