The ÖBB are now getting serious about the conversion of the Freistadt train station. At a cost of twelve million euros, the platform and technology are being brought up to date. The new platform is scheduled to go into operation in May 2023.
“We are making the station barrier-free and are building a new central platform with a higher platform level, which is equipped with a weatherproof waiting room,” said Hubert Hager yesterday, ÖBB division manager for new construction and expansion projects. In addition, the entire railway infrastructure in the station area will be renewed: from the tracks to the overhead lines to the drainage. Digital passenger information will provide train passengers with real-time departure and arrival data via monitor displays. Hager: “The historic station building will remain and will have a technical room.”
“In Freistadt we are investing in the expansion to increase the efficiency of the railway system in Upper Austria,” added Upper Austria’s Infrastructure Provincial Councilor Günther Steinkellner. “Rail travel is booming. It is all the more important to upgrade our train station so that people in the country can also enjoy boarding the train comfortably,” said Christian Gratzl, Mayor of Freistadt. “The Summerauerbahn is an important infrastructure for our community, for our commuters and in general a great excursion route for those who like to travel.” Gratzl also asked the population for perseverance and understanding for the one-year period of conversion.
Expansion of the Summerauerbahn
Measures at seven train stations, three bus stops and along the 61-kilometer Summerauer route will provide travelers with more passenger comfort in the future. ÖBB and the state of Upper Austria will invest around 70.6 million euros in this by 2027. The last major construction site in this package is the redesign of Summerau station in 2023 and 2024.
In order to make rapid progress, the ÖBB bundles the extensive station work – sometimes also at night. A rail replacement service is planned for the sections Pregarten to Summerau (July 2nd to 30th) and Linz to Pregarten (August 8th to 21st).
Source: Nachrichten
