Unexpected water began to enter the tunnels during drilling, causing flooding, with the issue taking longer than expected to resolve.
The 27.3km single track twin-tube tunnel will connect Gloggnitz with Mürzzuschlag, bypassing the sinuous mountain section of the Semmering Line. The tunnel will support 250km/h operation and will reduce travel times between Vienna and Graz by 30 minutes to two hours. Construction began in 2012, with the project expected to cost €3.3bn.
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