At the Flachgau tunnel

Köstendorf residents campaign for improvements

The current plans for the Flachgau tunnel were studied in detail at the information evening.

(Bild: Tschepp Markus)

New citizens' initiatives are forming around the Flachgau railroad tunnels. Almost all of them aim to ease the burden on the community. Only a few want to prevent the project.

The rail tunnel through Flachgau has been under discussion for many years. Many variants have been rejected, but now the 16.5-kilometre tunnel is to be built. Construction of ÖBB's billion-euro project could start in 2027.

The two tubes of the new line have a length of 16.5 kilometers.

(Bild: Tschepp Markus)

It is now clear that there will be no landfill for the excavated material on site, but that it will be transported away by rail. A loading station in Köstendorf is required for the approximately 14-year construction period. This will have eight tracks. However, the trains can only run at night due to the high frequency on the western line.

This again leads to uncertainty among the population. The construction of the noise protection was therefore brought forward by ÖBB and is to be implemented right from the start. The lighting of the facility also plays a role, as it will be very busy at night.

We are concerned with protection against dust, dirt, emissions and traffic. Segment production should therefore not take place in Köstendorf.

Matthias Neumayr, Urgestein der Initiative „lebenswerte Köstendorf-Wallerseeregion“

Matthias Neumayr from Köstendorf has been campaigning for the concerns of local residents with his initiative for years: "We have achieved a lot and have also fought against the landfills in the village," says the pensioner.

In a year's time, he plans to hand over to 30-year-old Michael Maderegger. "I am directly affected by the project as I am losing land on my farm," says the successor in an interview with "Krone".

To support a citizens' initiative, you have to be eligible to vote in the local municipality or in a neighboring municipality such as Lochen.

Sonja Moser, Rechtsanwältin der Gemeinde Köstendorf

Rupert Bachler is concerned about wild animals. The hunter would like to see more wildlife passages so that the animals do not suddenly appear in settlements - or on side roads, which could lead to more accidents.

Josef Bachler is against the project. The farmer will permanently lose 3.5 hectares of grazing land as a result of the project.