The Tauern Line

Together with the Brenner Corridor, the Tauern Line from Salzburg to Villach is the most important transalpine connection in Austria and thus a primary corridor of the Alp crossing. At the heart of this line is the approximately 81 kilometre-long Tauern railway from Schwarzach-St. Veit to Spittal/Drau.

Construction work on the Tauern Line

Modernisation of the Tauern Tunnel

The Tauern Tunnel was put into operation in 1909. It received its last update in 2004, which focused on tunnel safety and track construction work. Around 20 years later, the tunnel needs to be modernised and made fit for the coming decades, and the first stage of the measures has already been completed (Nov. 2024 - July 2025). 

The tunnel will be closed for the second phase of the refurbishment from 8 February to 9 July 2027. Long-distance passenger services between Bischofshofen and Spittal/Millstättersee, and between Schwarzach-St. Veit and Bad Gastein, will be operated by replacement bus services. Night train services will be diverted. 
Below you will find video footage of the work on the Tauern line.

 

Current construction projects on the Tauern Line