Vienna starts work on new tram line

On 14 February there was a groundbreaking ceremony for what will become tram line 27 in the Austrian capital. 

 

The new 2.4km section runs from a new triangular junction with line 26 at Pirquetgasse/Zanggasse to Aspern Nord S-Bahn station (also served by U-Bahn line U2) with a turning loop at Nelson-Mandela-Platz. There is a 1500-space P+R facility here. 

 

When line 27 is introduced in autumn 2025 it will run from Strebersdorf to Aspern Nord via Floridsdorf and Kagraner Platz, sharing tracks with line 26 most of the way. The new urban development areas at Berresgasse and Heidjöchi will be served by 800m of grassed tracks flanked by cycle tracks, and there will be six stops with about 10 000 passengers/day/direction expected. As 34 000 residents will live within walking distance of these stops, the project is well placed to challenge congestion and enjoy a large ridership. The project is expected to cost EUR 100M and is one of six new tramway extensions planned for Vienna in the coming years. 

 

Alexandra Renagl, Chairman of the Management Board of tramway operator Wiener Linden, said ’The tram is currently experiencing a renaissance, we are pleased and encouraged that we are strategically laying the rails and switches in the right of way. Vienna already has the sixth largest tram network in the world. In addition to building new lines, we are also investing heavily in maintaining the existing infrastructure. We have lots of plans for the next few years to ensure that Vienna continues to play an international pioneering role as a model public transport city’.