Austria’s Styrian Railway Upgrade: Budget Jumps to €693M

Styrian Western Railway modernization budget climbs to €693 million, electrifying 91km by 2033. This upgrade integrates regional transport, cutting CO2 emissions.

January 27, 2026 8:38 am

🛑 Key Takeaways:

Austria’s Styrian Western Railway modernization project has an updated budget of €693 million, with a final completion target of 2033.
The project scope includes the electrification of approximately 91 km of track, the modernization of 16 stations, and the elimination of level crossings.
This upgrade is critical for integrating regional transport with Austria’s national network, including the new Koralm line, and will cut an estimated 16,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually.

GRAZ, AUSTRIA – The budget for the modernization and electrification of the Styrian Western Railway has been updated to €693 million, a significant increase from the initial €543 million master plan. The multi-phase project, which began in 2021, aims to fully upgrade the vital regional line connecting Graz and Köflach by its scheduled completion in 2033.

Category	Specification / Detail
Project / Model	Styrian Western Railway Modernization & Electrification
Value / Budget	€693 million (Updated from €543 million)
Timeline	2021 – 2033
Total Length	~91 km to be electrified
Key Scope	16 station modernizations, level crossing removal, tunnel widening
Environmental Impact	~16,000 tons annual CO2 reduction

Operational & Technical Details

The project is structured in two main phases. The first phase focused on the Wettmannstätten–Wies-Eibiswald section, which was completed in 2025, enabling electric S-Bahn service. Work on the Lieboch–Wettmannstätten–Wies section is now nearing completion. The next major milestone is the Lieboch–Köflach branch, targeted for completion by the end of 2028. This segment includes complex engineering, such as widening the Krems tunnel for catenary installation, building three new bridges, and upgrading eight stations.

The second phase concentrates on the Graz–Lieboch section, with a 2033 completion date. This urban segment involves significant integration with city transport. Four level crossings will be replaced by underpasses designed as mobility hubs. These hubs will allow for direct transfers between S-Bahn platforms and bus stops located within the underpasses, drastically reducing connection times for commuters.

Market Impact Analysis

This project is strategically significant beyond a simple regional upgrade. By electrifying the line and improving speeds, it transforms the railway into a key feeder for the Koralm line, a major national project set to launch in December 2025. This integration enhances the business case for the larger high-speed network by expanding its catchment area into western Styria. The complete shift from diesel to electric traction aligns with Austria’s and the EU’s transport decarbonization goals, positioning rail as a more competitive alternative to road transport for both passengers and freight. The improved connectivity is expected to stimulate economic activity and real estate values in the towns along the route.