The expansion of Vienna's metro network will be delayed by a further two years and cost hundreds of millions of euros more. The original plan was for the U5 metro line to go into operation in 2024 and the U2 in 2026. Now the final extension will not be completed until 2030. The delays and cost increases are attributed to problems with the planning and unexpected ground conditions. In addition, the effects of inflation in Austria over the last two years have led to an increase in overall project costs. The Vienna Green Party criticises the city government for not carrying out major projects according to plan and calls for financial support for business people affected by the construction work. In a statement, the SPÖ emphasised the priority of safety in the highly complex civil engineering project.
