Semmering Base Tunnel rail traffic is scheduled to begin at the end of 2029, ÖBB has confirmed. The tunnel will form part of Austria’s Southern Railway corridor between Lower Austria and Styria. It will open a new phase for rail operations on the route. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.
Photo: ÖBB
ÖBB confirms 2029 rail opening
As reported by Rail Market, the update followed the first official complete journey through the tunnel system. A delegation led by Austrian Mobility Minister Peter Hanke and ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä travelled from Gloggnitz to Mürzzuschlag through the completed tunnel system. National Council President Doris Bures also joined the visit, along with transport representatives from parliamentary parties.
After opening, the tunnel will replace the steep mountain route across the Semmering Pass. This applies to long-distance passenger and freight traffic.
According to ÖBB, the new tunnel will reduce the Vienna–Graz journey time to about 1 hour 50 minutes. Also, it is expected to provide additional freight capacity on the Southern Railway line.
Technical railway systems now being installed
Construction reached a major stage at the end of 2024, when all excavation work was completed. As Railway Supply notes, current work is focused on installing technical railway systems. It also covers the concrete inner lining in sections near Gloggnitz and the Fröschnitzgraben emergency stop area.
The remaining work sits between completed excavation and the start of commissioning. Since summer 2025, the main focus has been the fit-out of the twin-bore tunnel. This includes track, power supply systems, operational equipment and other railway infrastructure needed for commercial operations. In addition, ÖBB said this phase will continue for more than three years before commissioning begins at the end of 2029.
The Semmering Base Tunnel is expected to increase capacity and operational efficiency on Austria’s north-south rail axis. It is also expected to help shift additional passenger and freight traffic from road to rail.
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