Salzburg Stadtbahn receives federal approval

The Austrian Federal Ministry for Transport and the Environment has authorised the 15km Stadtbahn extension of the Salzburg Lokalbahn south under the city to Hallein with a 99-year concession and the promise of a 50% grant towards the construction cost. Salzburg city will cover 25% of the cost. 

 

The EUR 2.8bn project is not expected to be completed until 2034. Known as S-link, the first part of the Stadtbahn is already under construction as a 1km subway from the Hauptbahnhof Lokalbahn station to Mirabellplatz. 

 

The planned route of the line further south includes two crossings of the Salzach river under the old town, continuing to a P+R site near the Autobahn at Salzburg-Süd, and another at Neu-Anif before running on the surface to the town of Hallein, with interchange to the mainline railway. 

 

The Stadtbahn will be operated as an extension of the Salzbuger Lokalbahn, a 25.8km standard-gauge light rail line that runs north from Hbf through communities such as Bergheim and Oberndorf to Lamprechtshausen. It was built in 1896 and electrified in stages from 1909-1950. Rolling stock is 18 high-floor cars built by SGP/Siemens in 1983-2002 that are retrofitted with a low-floor centre section. These also serve the legally separate branch from Bürmoos to Trimmelkam. Freight operation is another feature of the Lokalbahn and may also be offered on the surface section of the new Stadtbahn through the main line link at Hallein. 

 

The Lokalbahn infrastructure is being modernised with double track replacing single track and rebuilt stations. On order from Stadler are 16 tram-trains of the VDV design, with an option for five more and delivery in 2026-2029. They will be used to offer a 15-minute service. Rolling stock requirements for the Stadtbahn have yet to be defined, but will probably involve more tram-trains.