The St. Pölten–Herzogenburg railway line, part of Austria’s Tullnerfelder Bahn network, is to be expanded to a double track by the end of 2036, in order to increase capacity, improve safety and reduce journey times.
ÖBB has begun the project preparation phase by carrying out the studies required for the environmental impact assessment procedure.
The project aims to modernise an 8 km section, which has now reached the limits of its operational capacity. In addition to the construction of a second track and the electrification of the section, the works include the removal of level crossings, the construction of underpasses, the modernisation of stations and the implementation of extensive flood protection measures.
Greater capacity and speeds of up to 160 km/h
Once the project is complete, trains will be able to travel at speeds of up to 160 km/h, compared with the current limit of 120 km/h. The expansion to a double track will allow for more flexible management of rail traffic and will improve conditions for both regional and long-distance trains.
As part of the project, three stations – Unterradlberg, Viehofen and St. Pölten Traisenpark – will be modernised and brought up to accessibility standards.
At the same time, level crossings will be removed and replaced with separate infrastructure for road traffic, pedestrians and cyclists, and a dedicated link for pedestrians and cyclists will be built in the Gorbachgasse area to improve safety.
The first phase of works is scheduled to begin around 2028 and will include the removal of level crossings, the construction of underpasses and the implementation of flood protection measures. Road traffic through the new underpasses is expected to commence in mid-2029.
ÖBB estimates that work on the actual double-tracking could begin in 2031 at the earliest, following the completion of authorisation procedures. The entire modernised section is scheduled to enter service by the end of 2036.
The line forms part of the Tullnerfelder Bahn network in eastern Austria, which crosses the Tullnerfeld region – an area situated between the Danube and the Eastern Alps – passing through Herzogenburg on its way to St. Pölten, which is the southern terminus of this route.
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