In Köstendorf

Hot phase for the railroad tunnel

Among other things, local head Wolfgang Wagner reported on the current status and the options available to citizens.(Bild: Tschepp Markus)

The next few weeks are crucial for many Köstendorf residents. They have until May 17th to submit objections to the Flachgau railroad tunnel as part of the public consultation on the environmental impact assessment (EIA). 

As reported, Köstendorf is the center of ÖBB's billion-euro project. Excavation work will start there and the excavated material will be transported away by rail. The construction site equipment, segmental lining and much more would have a particularly high impact on the residents for a period of up to 15 years. The mayor of Köstendorf, Wolfgang Wagner, has already called for people to join citizens' initiatives. This is because an initiative with 200 or more supporters has party status in the process and also during the construction period.

A large information event was held in the municipality on Monday evening. Around 80 interested people listened intently to the explanations. It quickly became clear that countless things need to be taken into account. One new component is the large loading station that has to be built in order to be able to transport the excavated material away by rail.

It was also explained in detail how citizens can join the initiatives and how individual objections can be raised. For Wagner, it is particularly important that initiatives no longer compete with each other.