Vienna's U2 Wienerberg branch delayed to 2030 start

The southern U2 extension (part of the U2/U5 line-cross project) runs from Rathaus via Neubaugasse, Pilgramgasse, Reinprechtsdorfer Straße and Matzleinsdorfer Platz onward through the new Gußriegelstraße station to its terminus Wienerberg in the Favoriten district; the line runs entirely underground. The overall U2/U5 project costs roughly €6–7 billion (first stage to Matzleinsdorfer Platz: €2.1bn), funded equally by the federal government and the City of Vienna. Due to city budget cuts, the start of construction on the second stage (Wienerberg branch) was pushed back two years to 2030 in 2025; completion is now expected only in 2032–2035, notably later than originally planned. Update (13 Nov 2025): As part of Vienna's budget negotiations, Wiener Linien adjusted the timetable of the U2xU5 expansion (twelve new stations, eleven kilometres of line): the U5 is due to be structurally complete as far as Frankhplatz in 2026 but, for cost reasons, will enter service only in 2030 together with the U2 extension to Matzleinsdorfer Platz; in the second stage the construction starts move back by one year to 2028 for the U5 to Hernals and by two years to 2030 for the U2 to Wienerberg, with everything due to be finished in the mid-2030s (LOK Report, 13 Nov 2025). Update (13 Jul 2026): The tunnel boring machine Debohra has reached its target at Augustinplatz, completing the two U2 tubes between Matzleinsdorfer Platz and Augustinplatz with a combined length of 4.2 km; the tunnel drives for stage 1 of U2xU5 (about 5 km, including the U2 section to Rathaus and the U5 tunnel to Frankhplatz) are therefore finished. Fitting out the stations comes next; the new U2 line and the fully automatic U5 are due to carry passengers from 2030, and preparations for stage 2 (U5 to Hernals, U2 to Wienerberg) are already under way. The overall project comprises 12 km of new line and 11 new stations. (LOK Report, 13 Jul 2026)