Semmering Base Tunnel: Construction approved

The new roughly 27 km long Semmering Base Tunnel can now be built for Austria’s supreme railway authority confirmed its environmental compatibility on May 30, exactly a year after the relevant procedure was introduced, giving the green light for construction. Permits relating to nature conservation for the federal states of Lower Austria and Styria are expected shortly.

The new Semmering Base Tunnel will possess 2 single-track bores, which are connected every 500 m by cross-passages. The tunnel is to be driven via the 2 portals, Münzschlag in the west and Gloggnitz in the east – and 2...