On 12 May, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner, ÖBB Division Manager Christian Nagl and Provincial Councillor Ludwig Schleritzko broke ground for the general renovation of the railroad siding for the Brumowski Air Base in Langenlebarn. The track system, which is over 80 years old and runs from Tulln railroad station to the military property in Langenlebarn, will be completely renovated.
On October 22nd last year, the Minister signed the cooperation agreement together with ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä. The Austrian Armed Forces are thus investing around 3.7 million EUro in the infrastructure of the Brumowski airbase. The start of construction is also the starting signal for the planned investments in the airbase as a future self-sufficient barracks.
“We are delighted to have a fair and reliable partner in ÖBB for the expansion of our infrastructure. This will enable us to connect the airbase in Langenlebarn to the ÖBB rail network. In the spirit of environmental thinking, we are investing in a future sustainable and emission-free transport option for the armed forces with the planned construction project,” said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.
ÖBB Division Manager Christian Nagl: “Just like the Austrian Armed Forces, the Austrian Federal Railways are an important cornerstone of the country and a reliable partner for the population – this has once again been clearly demonstrated, not least in the past months of the pandemic. Efficient fulfillment of tasks in the areas of security and supply also requires an adequate, modern infrastructure – this is being created here in Langenlebarn in a sustainable and climate-friendly form.”
“With the connection to the Langenlebarn air base and the planned timber transport by rail, the Austrian Armed Forces are becoming a role model for many companies. The Austrian Armed Forces are once again assuming responsibility for our society in matters of climate protection, quite apart from national defence or disaster control,” emphasizes Lower Austria’s State Councillor for Mobility Ludwig Schleritzko.
As part of the general refurbishment, parts of the track ballast bed will be renewed, sleepers replaced, rails and points renewed and the track system realigned. The railroad bridge over the “Kleine Tulln” will also be renovated as part of this construction project. Completion is planned for fall 2022. The construction project is being built by ÖBB Infrastruktur.
This project provides the Austrian Armed Forces with an emission-free and sustainable transportation option via rail. As a result, troop transports can take off directly from Brumowski Air Base at lower cost in future. This will ensure the delivery of the necessary aviation fuel for aircraft, but biomass from the Allentsteig military training area for a planned biomass heating plant can also be transported to the air base in a CO2-neutral manner. The general refurbishment of the connecting railroad is linked to the increase in self-sufficiency.
