At the long-standing request of the people of Donaustadt, the City of Vienna will be building a 700 m long pedestrian and cycle connection between the Marlen-Haushofer-Weg district, the Stadlau industrial park and the future Süßenbrunner West urban development area from 2026. The test drillings required for construction have been carried out since mid-November in order to examine the geological conditions of the subsoil. This means that the project is entering the first phase of its implementation, as this step is crucial for the further planning of this project, which is so important for the district. “Where the ÖBB railway line and the S2 expressway currently represent insurmountable barriers that require kilometer-long detours, in the future we will create a direct and barrier-free connection between living, shopping and recreation. The new bridge also enables a central closure of the gap in the Donaustadt cycle path network,” says Planning Councilor Ulli Sima.
“With the foot and cycle path bridge, a long-standing demand of the people of the Danube city is finally being fulfilled – I am pleased that the preparatory work for this pioneering infrastructure project is now starting!” said the district leader of the Danube city, Ernst Nevrivy.
Comprehensive investigations of the subsurface
When building the new pedestrian and cycle path bridge, numerous aspects must be taken into account – in the interests of safety – including the geological conditions and existing infrastructure. “Conducting test drilling is a crucial step in the planning phase as it serves to determine the geological properties of the subsurface. For the planned new construction of the pedestrian and cycle path bridge, test drillings, ramming soundings and mechanical digging are being carried out to explore the subsoil,” explains the head of department at MA 29, bridge construction and foundation engineering, Thomas Herzfeld.
The work begins in the area between Süßenbrunner Straße and S2, continues in the Stadlau business park and finally ends at Marlen-Haushofer-Weg. The scope of the investigation includes approximately 20 test drillings with a depth of up to 22 m, 29 ramming probes and 2 mechanical diggings. The test drilling is expected to be completed in mid-February 2025.
Test drilling as an important basis for planning and construction
The findings from these soil tests, along with many other aspects, form the basis for further detailed planning. Experts in geology and geotechnics determine the depth and thickness as well as the condition of the individual soil layers. Soil and groundwater samples for soil physical and chemical investigations complete the extensive work program.
New bridge for short, direct routes
Construction of the new bridge, which is planned to be 700 m long next to the existing bridge on tram line 26, is scheduled to begin in mid-2026. The bridge will have a continuous 4.5 m wide pedestrian and cycle path and will enable the two major barriers represented by the ÖBB route and S2 to be overcome. A new direct cross-connection for cyclists and pedestrians is being created through the Donaustadt – from Kagraner Platz to Seestadt.
Specifically, the bridge leads from Pogrelzstrasse to Süßenbrunner Strasse. The residents in the residential areas west of the ÖBB route, such as the Marlen-Haushofer-Weg district, will particularly benefit from this. In the future, you will be able to go shopping directly and safely to the Stadlau business park or to nearby recreational areas such as the Hirschstetten bathing pond, which are currently inaccessible behind the train and motorway. The bridge also enables long-term connections to the urban development areas of Süßenbrunner Straße, Berresgasse and Heidjöchl to the east of the S2, including new cycling infrastructure.
Barrier-free access to the bridge
The bridge means new comfort and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists: In the west, the bridge docks on Pogrelzstrasse, from where a ramp rises. In addition to a staircase, a lift system is also planned for the Marlen-Haushofer-Weg district. In order to enable access to the shops in the Stadlau business park, a staircase and a lift system will be built at the level of the tram station on line 26. In the east, the foot and cycle bridge connects to Süßenbrunner Straße. An additional staircase is provided to access the green area directly.
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