Austria – Tunnel started to close the Gap between Ybbs and Amstetten

On August 28th, 2009 a further milestone was embarked on for upgrading the 4-track Westbahn when work started on the 2.2 km long Burgstall Tunnel, which is designed to close the gap between Ybbs and Amstetten. This altogether 16.7 km long section connects with parts of the 4-track Westbahn that have already been completed. The existing route between Ybbs on the Danube and Amstetten is to be augmented by 2 new tracks (250 km/h) and the present tracks brought up to high-speed standard. The new route runs from
Ybbs towards the south of the existing line, crosses the Westbahn and the Westautobahn towards the north in the Burgstall Tunnel and then runs to the north of the existing route to Amstetten.  Three different construction methods are to be applied for building the 2,200  m long Burgstall Tunnel on account of varying soil conditions: the top cover method, trenchless technology with excavator and drill+ blast (NATM) and cut-and-cover. A part of this important gap closure scheme will open in December 2012 at the same time as the completion of the new Vienna–St. Pölten route and the connecting link for the West, South and Donauland-Bahn in Vienna with the 6.6 km long Lainzer Tunnel. The Ybbs-Amstetten project is due to be entirely completed within the scope of the 4-track upgrading of the Westbahn in 2014. 
G. B.