Major Vienna rail closures end on schedule; more planned for 2025

The summer closures due to ÖBB construction work in Vienna and Lower Austria are set to end on time. The S-Bahn main line between Vienna-Praterstern and Vienna-Floridsdorf will reopen when school begins on September 2nd.

The construction, which began in October 2023, involved expanding and upgrading the Traisengasse and Handelskai S-Bahn stations and replacing tracks and points on the southern line between Vienna and Wiener Neustadt. During the summer, 21.7 kilometres of new tracks and 53 new points were installed, and 490 workers were involved.

Despite the reopening, construction is not over. The Vienna-Praterstern to Vienna-Floridsdorf section will close again during the summer months of 2025 and 2026. Further closures are planned between Vienna Central Station and Vienna-Praterstern from September 2026 to October 2027, with the project slated for completion by the end of 2027.

In related news, Wiener Linien has confirmed that the U4 underground line between Schwedenplatz and Schottenring will resume uninterrupted service on Monday. Tramlines O, 2, 26, and 31, which faced partial restrictions due to summer construction, will also return to regular service. As part of preparations for new lines 12 and 27, Wiener Linien is investing € 223 million in modern infrastructure this year, including over 8.6 kilometres of new track and 53 new switches.

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Austria swelters through second hottest summer on record

Austria has sweltered through one of its hottest summers on record, with no relief in sight, according to upcoming weather forecasts. The meteorological summer of 2024 is set to be the second warmest in Austria’s history, surpassed only by the exceptional heat of 2003. It has been the hottest summer in the lowlands since records began 258 years ago.

This marks Austria’s fourth consecutive season of extreme warmth, following a scorching autumn, winter, and spring. Geosphere Austria’s climatologist Alexander Orlik noted that the lowlands experienced temperatures 2.1 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average and 3.9 degrees higher than the 1961-1990 average. Similarly, in the summit regions, the summer was 2.2 degrees above the 1991-2020 average, with no sub-zero temperatures recorded at the Hoher Sonnblick observatory in August—an unprecedented occurrence since measurements began in 1886.

The figures confirm the ongoing warming climate trend, with 17 of the 20 warmest summers in the past 258 years occurring in the recent 1991-2020 period. The summer of 2024 also brought about twice as many hot days (30C or more) as an average summer in 1991-2020 and three to four times as many compared to 1961-1990.

Styria launches €300 million housing offensive ahead of state elections

After the Styrian state elections on November 24th, the government relaunched its “Styrian Housing Offensive,” with nearly €300 million allocated until 2026. Applications have been open since September 1st for subsidies on home construction, young family bonuses, and thermal refurbishment of rental apartments.

Governor Christopher Drexler (ÖVP) highlighted Styria’s “pioneering role” in multi-storey housing. Over 5,500 new subsidised apartments are planned, and 1,400 rental units are set for thermal upgrades. Homeownership loans of up to €200,000 with a 0.25 percent starting interest rate and a 30-year term are also available.

Linz mayoral election set for December 8th

Following the resignation of Linz Mayor Klaus Luger (SPÖ) last Friday, the ÖVP, FPÖ, and Greens have agreed on December 8th as the date for the mayoral election. Announced Thursday, this “cross-party alliance” has a “democratically legitimised majority” in the municipal council, with each party fielding its candidate.

According to Upper Austria’s state authorities, December 8th is the earliest possible date. Interim Mayor Karin Hörzing (SPÖ) has been requested to set this date to avoid a prolonged election campaign. A run-off, if necessary, would be held on December 22nd. Despite the proximity to Christmas, the ÖVP, FPÖ, and Greens believe an election in Advent is preferable to a lengthy delay over the holidays. The SPÖ has yet to comment on the proposed date.

CIA tip-off helped prevent terror attack at Vienna Taylor Swift concert

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has confirmed that it provided a crucial tip-off about a planned attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna. The “New York Times” reported on Wednesday that the CIA received information about four individuals with links to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, who were plotting to kill tens of thousands at the event. According to CIA Deputy Director David S. Cohen, Austrian authorities successfully thwarted the attack with the help of international partners.

A recent report from Austria’s Directorate of State Security and Intelligence (DSN) revealed further details. The 19-year-old main suspect had been under surveillance since August 2nd after partner intelligence services shared information. The suspect was planning to either acquire a firearm or use knives to carry out the attack at the Ernst Happel Stadium, where Swift was set to perform three concerts as part of her “The Eras” tour.

Surveillance of the suspect and a 17-year-old accomplice intensified, leading to their arrest on August 7th. The DSN report indicated that items for creating booby traps were found in the suspect’s home. The attack was prevented just days before the concerts, for which 200,000 fans were expected. After the incident, Swift thanked the authorities on Instagram, stating that the investigators ensured “we mourn concerts, not lives.” The singer resumed her tour in London on August 15th.

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