​About the project

Around 27 kilometres in length and 18 years in making under challenging geological conditions: The Semmering Base Tunnel ranks amongst the most complex tunnel building projects in Europe.

Crossway at the construction site Semmering Base Tunnel.

Its planning and construction demand innovative solutions from ÖBB-Infrastruktur. Numerous access points and shaft systems are being created on four construction sites to enable people, machines and material to be safely transported below ground. This saves time and helps to conquer the rock from several sides.

Tunnel building benefits the region

The construction of the Semmering Base Tunnel is boosting business in the region and stimulating the labour market. Taking all of the sites together, 1,200 people are working on the construction aspects alone. The operational phase will employ around 11,000 people, most of them from the region and elsewhere in Austria. The domestic economy will also profit: Each euro invested in the tunnel delivers five euro in growth.

Facts & Figures

  • Construction time

    2012–2030

  • Section

    Gloggnitz (Lower Austria)–Mürzzuschlag (Styria)

  • Section length

    27.3 kilometres

  • Milestones
    • April 2012: Groundbreaking
    • January 2014: Start of construction on the Fröschnitzgraben tunnel section
    • July 2015: Start of construction on the Gloggnitz tunnel section
    • May 2016: Start of construction on the Grautschenhof tunnel section
    • 2030: Completion