ÖBB to close Tauern Tunnel until July 2027 for second renovation phase

ÖBB is starting preparations for the second renovation phase of the Tauern Tunnel: from 8 February to 9 July 2027 the tunnel will be closed completely, with preparatory work that does not affect passengers beginning in autumn 2026. In the roughly two-kilometre southern section near Mallnitz the tunnel vault will be renovated and the railway equipment renewed; at the same time the Weitmoser and Hundsdorfer viaducts will be renovated, the overhead line in the Klamm Tunnel and installations in the Kaponig Tunnel renewed, several track sections replaced, Rothenthurn station modernised and the Tauern car-shuttle facility digitised and extensively upgraded. During the closure, direct buses will run hourly between Bischofshofen and Spittal-Millstättersee and night trains will be diverted; the car shuttle resumes operation on 10 July 2027. Announced on 27 April 2026. The date is a placeholder: the article gives 9 July 2027 as the end of the full closure, not expressly the completion of all works. (LOK Report, 27 Apr 2026)