On 21st June 2023, the Austrian Federal Administrative Court (BVwG) delivered a decision on the appeals concerning the notices under railway law and nature conservation law for the quadruple-tracking of the Linz – Marchtrenk line. This means that construction of the line can begin. The BVwG has confirmed the positive railway law decision issued by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMK) in 2021 as well as the decision under nature conservation law. This allows Austrian state railway ÖBB to prepare the start of construction. The goal is to start construction in 2024. Individual preliminary works may already be realised in 2023. Start of operations is planned for 2031. As part of the project, the entire 16 km double-track railway line will be expanded to four new tracks. The stations in Leonding, Hörsching and Oftering will be rebuilt to be disabled accessible, and with park-and-ride and bike-and-ride facilities. Most of the expansion will take place during ongoing train services. Nevertheless, there will be some restrictions on train services. Around €781 million will be invested in the project.
