Semmering Base Tunnel

Semmering Base Tunnel

Open day at western portal in Mürzzuschlag, October 2023
Overview
Official name	German: Semmering-Basistunnel
Location	Austria (Lower Austria, Styria)
Coordinates	47°36′30″N 15°41′24″E / 47.6082°N 15.6901°E / 47.6082; 15.6901 (west portal) 47°40′38″N 15°55′25″E / 47.6772°N 15.9237°E / 47.6772; 15.9237 (east portal)
Status	under construction
Start	Mürzzuschlag, Styria
End	Gloggnitz, Lower Austria
Operation
Work begun	25 April 2012
Opens	2030
Operator	ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG
Technical
Length	27.3 km (17.0 mi)
No. of tracks	2 single-track tubes
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) (standard gauge)
Electrified	15 kV 16.7 Hz AC overhead conductor rail
Operating speed	230 km/h (145 mph)
Width	10 metres (33 ft)
Grade	0.84% (maximum)
Cross passages	56
Route map

The Semmering Base Tunnel is a railway tunnel under construction between Gloggnitz and Mürzzuschlag in Austria underneath the Semmering Pass.^[1] The existing route is 41 km long and the Semmering Base Tunnel will be 27.3 km long. The new route will offer time savings of up to 30 minutes, with a shorter route and higher speed limit (maximum 230 km/h).^[2]

Construction began on 25 April 2012 and the link is expected to enter operational service in 2030,^[3] delayed from the original estimate of 2026.^[4] The main benefit of the new tunnel will be increased ease of use for freight traffic. The gradients of the traditional routes requires the use of two locomotives; the reduced gradient of the new link will enable the transit of freight traffic using just one locomotive. The SBT and the Koralm Railway in combination will enable freight transit across the whole southern line with just one locomotive.

Currently, the fastest Vienna-Graz and Vienna-Klagenfurt journeys on the Railjet services are 2 hours 35 minutes and 3 hours 55 minutes, respectively. The Koralmbahn will enable Graz-Klagenfurt journeys of approximately 45 minutes, as such it will bring Vienna-Klagenfurt journeys down to around 3 hours 25 minutes starting end of 2025. The SBT is projected to enable time savings of additional 45 minutes, which will enable journeys from Vienna to Graz and Klagenfurt of 1 hour 50 minutes and 2 hours 40 minutes, respectively.^[5]

The Semmering railway, which was constructed between 1848 and 1854, holds the distinction of being the first railway to traverse the Alps, and has been commonly referred to as the world's first true mountain railway.^[6] The historic significance of this traditional route is such that it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. By the turn of the 21st century, a total of 70,000 goods and passenger trains were reportedly being run through the Semmering railway during each year, it is one of the busiest routes in Austria.^[6]

In order to relieve pressure upon the original route, interest grew in the development of a more direct route over the Alps.^[7] These notions soon centered around the concept of boring a base tunnel at a significantly lower altitude. During 2006, a two-year route selection process was conducted; in April 2008, it was announced that the southernmost route had been determined to be the optimum of those studied. During the later half of 2009, the final route for the proposed SBT was selected; this ran between Gloggnitz and the Mürzzuschlag-Langenwang area.^[8]

Specifically, the tunnel comprises twin-parallel bores, each possessing a diameter of 10 meters and separated by up to 70 meters; for safety reasons, connecting 56 cross-passages between the two bores are to occur at regular intervals of up to 500 meters.^[1][9][10] Being significantly faster than the Semmering line, it would enable a reduction in the travel time between the cities of Vienna and Graz.^[9]

The SBT has a gradient of 0.84 per cent.^[10] This gradient was selected to enable it to be used by heavy freight trains with only a single locomotive. The plan involves several infrastructure changes, such as the integration of the railway stations at Gloggnitz and Mürzzuschlag with the proposed route.^[9] Outside of railway infrastructure, a flood protection scheme is required to mitigate against the risk posed by the nearby River Schwarza while the relocation of the B27 [de] road would also be necessary.^[9]

The primary contracts for the construction of the SBT is divided into three contract sections.^[11] During 2014, the contract for the construction of the 13 km-long central section of the tunnel, valued at approximately €623 million ($827 million), was awarded to a consortium of Implenia and Swietelsky.^[12] A separate contract was awarded to Amberg Engineering for it to conduct tunnel excavation works, while Strabag was engaged to conduct drilling activities. During 2010, BGG Consult was awarded a contract to provide geotechnical and hydrogeological consulting services during both the tendering and construction phases of the programme.^[9]

The Austrian Federal Railways contracted the planning of the proposed SBT's route to a consortium of Werner Consult and Witrisal consortium to conduct the route planning for the tunnel.^[9] Separately, Gruner AG was also involved in the design for the new twin-tube tunnels; this work included its aerodynamics and environmental control, including operational and emergency ventilation systems. Soil mechanical and geotechnical consulting services at the intermediate sites at Fröschnitzgraben and Grautschenhof by INSITU Geotechnics.^[9][13]

In June 2024, Porr and Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group were awarded a €176 million fit-out contract for the tunnel.^[14]

During 2012, preparatory ground works for the SBT commenced.^[15][16] On 7 January 2014, construction began upon the tunnel's central section.^[11] Work on this section involved boring work along a length of 8.6 km, while a drill-and-blast method for the remaining 4.3 km section. The central section is to consist of 26 crossover passages between the two tunnels, along with an emergency station; a pair of 420 metre-deep ventilation shafts are also to be dug.^[10][11] By 7 June 2016, work on the third section of the SBT had commenced; this meant that full-rate construction activity upon the project, which was reportedly costed at €3.3 billion as of this point in time, was now underway.

To facilitate the construction work, three intermediate sites were established near to Göstritz, Fröschnitzgraben and Grautschenhof. At Göstritz, a 1,000 metre access gallery and multiple 250 metre-deep shafts were constructed to facilitate conventional tunnel excavation methods.^[9] At Fröschnitzgraben, a pair of 420 metre-deep shafts, possessing a diameter of 22 metres, were dug ahead of the deployment of tunnel boring machines.^[10] Once assembled, these will be used to create the bore towards Gloggnitz.^[9][17] Breakthrough of this section occurred on 10 June 2022.^[18]

Additional major works will include the construction of entrances in Gloggnitz and Mürzzuschlag, as well as ventilation shafts at Trattenbach and Sommerau.^[9] Substations located at Gloggnitz and Langenwang are intended to be used to supply electricity to the trains that will run through the SBT. Beyond the tunnel itself, ancillary work involves the construction of two new railway bridges, as well as a new road bridge and an underpass for the B27.^[9]

Owing to encountering difficulties with the complex geology in the area, including the fault zone being traversed during construction and different rock types, an additional cost of €390 million was added taking the total cost to €3.9 billion, with measures to mitigate these risks in 2021 being unsuccessful.^[3]

On 28th November 2024, it was announced that the final breakthrough of the tunnel had been completed, marking the end of all excavation activities. The concrete lining will now be completed followed by fitting out, with an expected in service date of 2030.^[19]