The Modern Metro (U-Bahn), Phase 3 (2006-2010)

Construction for phase 3 of the Vienna Metro began in 2001. This phase consists of the following projects:

An extension of line U1 from Kagran to Leopoldau (4.6 km).
An extension of line U2 from Schottenring to Aspernstrasse (9 km).

With these extensions completed, the Vienna metro lines will reach a total length of 75.2 km (or 47 miles).

Plan stage 3

Line U1

Construction of the extension began in 2001; work proceeded as planned, and the extension was opened on 2 September 2006.

Line U2

Originally, this extension was planned for much later — after extensions of line U1 to the south and U6 to the north. However, the priority list was changed after plans were introduced to build a large housing project on the former Aspern airfield, which meant that this extension had a better customer potential than the other extensions.

In anticipation of this project, in 2000 the platforms of the existing line were lengthened to 115m to be able to accommodate long trains.

After a number of delays, construction began in 2003, the section to Stadion is scheduled to open on 10 May 2008. The section to Aspernstrasse was originally scheduled to open one year later, but work has been postponed and is unlikely to be completed before 2010, possibly even later. In March 2005, construction started on the service line Stadion-Erdberg, and tunneling work began for the new Schottenring station, which is situated below the Danube Canal. Much of the other tunnel sections and the elevated track to Stadion are already completed.

Messe
U2 extension: Messe station under construction (March 2005)