Semmering Austria - Following a period of preparatory works, main construction began on Austria's 27.3 kilometre Semmering Base Tunnel on 7 Jan 2014.
 
The tunnel between Mürzzuschlag and Gloggnitz on the Vienna-Villach/Graz main line is divided into three contract sections.
 
The 13 kilometre central section is now under construction, and two TBMs have been launched in a pit at Fröschnitzgraben to excavate the parallel single-track bores.
 
The central section is being built by a joint venture of Swietelsky Tunnelbau and Implenia under a €623 million contract.
 
The second contract, which covers the 7 kilometre eastern (Gloggnitz) section of the tunnel is currently being tendered and construction will start at the beginning of 2015.
 
Construction is expected to start on the remaining 7 kilometre western section in 2016.
 
The tunnel is due to open in 2024 and will reduce the Vienna-Graz journey time from 2 hours 30 minutes to around two hours.
 
Erwin Reidinger.