Project information Upgrading the Vienna –Bratislava route S e p t e mb e r 2 0 1 6

The big picture The project The upgrade, step by step Passenger use What has happened up to this point? Respecting the environment Twin City Rail connects two European capital cities

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Upgrading the Vienna - Bratislava route

The big picture The Vienna-Bratislava project is part of two European core network corridors, namely the Baltic-Adriatic and the Rhine-Danube core network corridors. Together with the Orient/EastMed core network corridor, Vienna forms the intersection point between three European core network corridors. Vienna therefore occupies an outstanding position within the Europe-

an transportation system. This cross-border development plan envisages a double-track upgrade and the electrification of the existing ÖBB route, which runs from Stadlau train station to the national border at Marchegg and continues into Slovakia.

The project The project at hand relates to an upgrade of an existing route with “long, straight sections” (roughly 32.5 km) within the Austrian railway network. The upgrade of a single-track diesel engine route to a double-track, electrified, high-performance route under continuous operation constitutes a significant challenge. The track axis on a length of approximately 1.4 km will be displaced within the area of the entrance bend before Marchegg; the move is to occur up to 70 m to the north. Furthermore, the maximum line speed will be raised to 160 km/h, railway crossings replaced with under and overcrossings or alternative routes,

and transportation depots renovated and provided with barrier-free access points.

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Upgrading the Vienna - Bratislava route

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The upgrade, step by step For large-scale projects in particular, it has proven advantageous to divide plans into individual construction phases and realise them on a step by step basis. This project will also be implemented on a step by step basis in 3 modules: Module 1a: Double-track, electrified, full upgrade within the Viennese section from Stadlau to the Wien Aspern Nord train station Module 1b: Double-track upgrade and electrification, section by section, from Wien Aspern Nord to the national border at Marchegg Module 2: Development of a second track in single-track zones At present, the route is being fully utilised. On the basis of the train numbers outlook for 2025, operational capacity for the route may be significantly improved with the development of Modules 1a and 1b.

Wien Aspern Nord train station

Figures-Information-Facts

Module 1 b: Two-track upgrade, specified sections

10 communities involved: Vienna, Groß-Enzersdorf, Raasdorf, Großhofen, Glinzendorf, Leopoldsdorf, Obersiebenbrunn, Untersiebenbrunn, Lassee, Marchegg

Module 2: Two-track full upgrade, remaining track

Project length: roughly 37 km

Existing route

9 transport depots:

Existing transport depots

4 train stations: Raasdorf, Siebenbrunn-Leopoldsdorf, Schönfeld-Lassee, Marchegg

Module 1 a: Two-track full upgrade, Viennese section

Transport depots to be renovated

5 bus stops: Wien Hirschstetten, Wien Aspern, Glinzendorf, Untersiebenbrunn, Breitensee Civil engineering works: 4 railway bridges 6 overpasses

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4 pedestrian and cyclist underpasses 4 pedestrian passages

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13 railway crossings closed Track superstructure:

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roughly 90 km of track 63 switch points roughly 1500 catenary support systems 1 substation Construction and renovation of roads: Primary road network: roughly 13 km Secondary road network: roughly 40 km Milestones

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Development of infrastructure: 2006-2008 Planning schedule: 2008-2012 EIA submission: 2013 EIA decision: August 2014 Renovation of Marchegg train station: Feb – Dec 2015 Construction start Module 1a: October 2016 Completion of Module 1a: 2018 Module 1b: 2018 – 2023 Completion: 2030

Upgrading the Vienna - Bratislava route

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Passenger use Alongside a reduction in journey time in long-distance transport between the two capital cities, there will also be further advantages for commuters due to a potential increase in train frequencies. Passengers will be able to avail of attractive transport stations which will stand out due to having rooves over the platforms, transparent waiting rooms, and new information systems such as automatic train destination displays, loudspeakers and monitors. Pedestrian passages and barrier-free access to platforms will increase passenger safety.

Visualization of Wien Hirschstetten train station

Within the Viennese section, a new connecting station between the ÖBB route and the U2 underground line in Vienna will be developed with the Wien Aspern Nord train station. The substructure and superstructure are to be constructed according to the latest state of technology. In doing so, vibrations will be reduced. Residential areas will be protected by the construction of noise protection walls. Paths may be used by cyclists and pedestrians at the same time. Additionally, the closure of railway crossings, which will be replaced with underpasses and overpasses, will increase traffic safety.

Visualization of stairs & lift to the platform at Wien Hirschstetten train station

What has happened up to this point? Marchegg train station was renovated from February to December 2015 so that it could become more user-friendly and barrier-free. Alongside renovation of the train station, work for electrification to be completed later on in Module 1b was brought forward. Noise pollution within the area of the train station is reduced to a minimum as a result of these measures. Alongside Park & Ride facilities with roughly 120 parking spaces for cars, a covered bike rack with 50 spaces was constructed. The new platforms were provided with modern waiting rooms and a tactile control system.

Marchegg train station before the start of renovation work February 2015

A passage was constructed so that the new barrier-free central platform could be reached safely. Trains may be reached using the new barrier-free lifts. All newly constructed facilities were fitted with modern lighting. In February 2016 the first preliminary work (clearing work) within the Viennese zone began between Hirschstetten and Aspern Nord.

Marchegg train station after renovation work - November 2015

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Upgrading the Vienna - Bratislava route

Respecting the environment The double-track upgrade and electrification project for the route between Vienna and Bratislava was subject to an environmental impact assessment (EIA) in accordance with the provisions of the Austrian Environmental Impact Assessment Law (UVP-G 2000).

responsible authorities within the BMVIT [Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology] over the course of the approval procedure. This was handled as transparently and as comprehensibly as possible while taking the general public into consideration.

The objective of an EIA is to prevent environmental damage by implementing precautionary measures. Environmental impacts must be taken into consideration in a holistic and comprehensive way throughout the project. Environmental issues are to be factored into the planning process to the same extent as technical issues, and were evaluated by the

Even during the planning phase, the lowest possible level of damage to human, animal and plant living environments, the conservation of ecological resources, the preservation of infrastructure, a safe flooding procedure for traversing rivers and streams, and an economical approach were stated as significant aims of the project.

Twin City Rail connects two European capital cities Central Europe consists of the economic areas of four European countries, namely, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria. Vienna and Bratislava are two European capitals at the heart of Central Europe. The objective of the Twin City Rail project is to create an outstanding, infrastructural link between the two European capitals. Both cities are located only 60 kilometers away from one another, and are exemplary in terms of future prospects within the new Europe when it comes to politics, culture and business.

development in this region will also contribute substantially to locational advantages and cross-border networking. The Twin City Rail project will add significantly to this, meaning that development potential will be increased. To further interlink a region such as Vienna – Lower Austria – Bratislava, an effective infrastructure must be created for the future. Only a transportation concept which can be banked on alongside other infrastructures while in operation can become successful and competitive on a long term basis.

6.5 million people live in Central Europe. A labour market and sales market with great potential, which remain untapped to a great extent, may be found here. More Information will be prioritised during planning

ÖBB places a particular value on clear, coordinated and consistent project communication. Therefore, over the course of the EIA submission process, the plan was exhibited at 3 evening events organised in Raasdorf, Untersiebenbrunn and Lassee for the communities in Lower Austria affected by the plan. Here, the project team presented the project and answered questions relating to it. Furthermore, a planning brochure was published and the project, including significant planning points, was made available bilingually in both German and Slovakian on the ÖBB homepage at www.oebb.at/infrastruktur. An information evening on the Viennese section (Module 1a) with a projected construction start in October was held in June 2016. Visualization of Schönfeld - Lassee train station

Contact ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG Ombudswoman Anna Hahn Tel. + 43 (0) 664 617 20 42 Email: [email protected] Market Management & Communication Division Team Project Information Elisabethstrasse 9, 1010 Wien Tel.: +43 1 93000 32611 Project Management Vienna Central 1020 Wien Praterstern 3 Tel.: +43 1 93000 33466 Email: [email protected] www.oebb.at/infrastruktur

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Imprint: ÖBB-Werbung GmbH for and on behalf of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG Prod. no.: 117016-1209 Media proprietor: ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG Text: ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG Photographs: ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG Visualizations: Zechner & Zechner Graphics: Heider Klausner, ÖBB Werbung GmbH Printing: Gerin GmbH & Co KG, A–2120 Wolkersdorf Dated: September 2016