By Rose Bell
Connecting Lower Austria and Styria and strengthens the Baltic-Adriatic corridor in Europe, the Semmering Base Tunnel is fitting out by the PORR Group and Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group.
These companies have been concluded a contarct to fit-out the railway engineering equipment for the around 27-kilometre-long, twin-tube tunnel as part of the BTA Semmering Base Tunnel 4.1 consortium.
According to Karl-Heinz Strauss, CEO of PORR: “Fitting out the Semmering Base Tunnel is an extremely complex task that requires a high level of railway engineering expertise. With its extensive experience in railway construction as part of its broad range of services, PORR is particularly well positioned here. We are proud to be making a significant contribution to expanding mobility in Europe with our partner Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group.”
The responsibility of figuring the 27-kilometre-long, twin-tube tunnel between Gloggnitz in Lower Austria and Mürzzuschlag in Styria, is up to the consortium.
Including telecommunications, electrical equipment with high-voltage systems, distribution boards, lighting and escape route labelling, as well as signage, this contract’s value is EUR 176m, whereas it also involves the mechanical systems for air conditioning, ventilation and extinguishing water as well as locksmith work.
The determined date for commencing the construction process is June 2025, while the consortium partners will start planning immediately.The tunnel is scheduled to open 2030.
As the second major ÖBB tunnel project to be fitted out by the PORR Group and Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group (RSRG), following on from the Koralm Tunnel, commercial management is up to PORR and RSRG is responsible for the technical lead.
PORR CEO Strauss further said: “We are thrilled to be able to contribute to a sustainable and safe connection between Lower Austria and Styria. And we’re happy to bring our expertise as a full-service provider with a large number of successfully realised projects.”
“Winning the contract here on the Semmering Base Tunnel is a nice confirmation of the work we have done on the Koralm Tunnel and we’re certain that we will once again meet the high expectations here in full,” said Robert Kumpusch, Managing Director of RSRG’s project business.
