MABA tubbing segments for Vienna’s largest canal project

MABA Fertigteilindustrie GmbH, a company of the Kirchdorfer Concrete Solutions Group, began production of 43,000 reinforced-concrete segments for the 8.6-km Wiental River Canal. The 270-million euro project will improve the water quality of the Wiental River and relieve the canal network in heavy rain events – this is of particular relevance in view of the latest flooding events in eastern Austria. At the same time, the existing canals can be efficiently and safely rehabilitated in the process.

The canal will be bored as a tunnel tube with an outside diameter of nearly 4 m and an inside diameter of 3 m. It lies below the Wienfluss River and runs for the most part parallel to the left wall of the Wienfluss River. The extension of the Wiental Canal is one of the most significant infrastructure construction projects for Vienna and the Kirchdorfer Group.

Stationary production set up in just six months

Stationary production was set up in the existing halls at the MABA location in Wöllersdorf. By mid 2026, the tubbing segments that form the lining of the tunnel structure 30 m below the Wiental River will be manufactured in two shifts.

Stefan Kizlink, Head of Large-Scale and Special Projects at Kirchdorfer Concrete Solutions, explains: “With our expertise gained on large-scale tunnel projects, we will deliver the highest quality for the city of Vienna. Climate-friendly wastewater and rainwater management are among the major challenges for a sustainable infrastructure.”

Master builder Manuel Polak from Arge Wiental Kanal WSKE West emphasizes the importance of the partnership: “With MABA, we have won an experienced partner with regional added value. Together with the contractors Östu Stettin and BeMo Tunneling, we are now working on increasing production in the required quality and quantity.”

Jacking work will begin in March 2025 with the section Vortrieb West to be about 7 km in length. The following section will be Vortrieb East, 1.5 km long, with a connection to the existing canal. Construction work will continue until 2027, with the canal becoming fully operational in 2028.

The companies of the Kirchdorfer Group are time-tested partners in numerous infrastructure projects in Austria – ranging from traffic safety to energy and photovoltaic projects and climate-protection measures.