As part of the course 'Excursion on Transportation Systems,' the destination changes each time. This time, the excursion led to the A4 East Motorway and then to Wolkersdorf in Lower Austria.

The excursion on June 5, 2025, was organized and led by DI Dr. Wolfgang J. Berger. Nearly 20 students participated, primarily from the bachelor's program in Environmental Engineering Sciences, but also from the programs in Civil Engineering and Water Management, Landscape Planning and Landscape Architecture, as well as Environmental and Bioresource Management.

 

The entire morning was dedicated to the A4 East Motorway, where a comprehensive renovation spanning almost 7 kilometers between the Prater Junction and the Schwechat Junction is currently in full swing. During a breakfast snack at the construction office (thanks to ASFINAG), ASFINAG colleagues DI Schwarz and DI Panazzo (both BOKU alumni) professionally explained the entire multi-year process of project development as well as numerous construction details. Particularly impressive was the description of the many ecological compensation measures, such as the creation of nearly 1 hectare of biological areas, the construction of state-of-the-art water protection facilities, the planting of almost 3,000 trees (which must be maintained for at least 10 years), and even the installation of bat nesting boxes. The construction of an accompanying bike path is also part of the project. These measures account for over a quarter of the total project cost of just over 100 million euros.

Afterward, the group spent nearly two hours on the construction site itself, where, amidst intensive construction activity directly next to the heavily trafficked motorway lanes, a future wider (and safer) roadway is being completely rebuilt. As we were told, the existing road surfaces are also being renewed piece by piece during precisely timed night operations.

After a hearty lunch in Pillichsdorf, the afternoon continued in Wolkersdorf at the Lower Austria Road Construction Department 3, which is affiliated with a road maintenance depot. There, the head of the road construction department, DI Nikola Kopitz (who also teaches the master's elective course "Road Operations – Road Maintenance"), provided an overview of the diverse activities of the road service. In Lower Austria alone, nearly 14,000 kilometers of state roads must be maintained, including winter salting and snow removal, summer mowing and maintenance of shoulders and slopes, the upkeep and repair of roadways, sidewalks, and bike paths, as well as the maintenance, cleaning, or replacement of traffic signs, guideposts, and guardrails.

This was followed by a guided tour of the road maintenance depot, where Ms. Kopitz and road maintenance supervisor Josef Siebenhandl thoroughly explained practical workflows with the numerous devices and machines. A truck and a Unimog were available for participants to sit in and even operate the snowplow. The hall containing tons of stored road salt was also impressive. Additionally, three areas on the premises were shown that were recently constructed based on the latest findings of the sponge city principle. The development of the trees in these areas is being closely monitored.

The professional conclusion of the excursion was a visit to the shared space zone in Wolkersdorf. Through Josef Siebenhandl's detailed explanation, it became clear why this area is also referred to as the "Square of Generations." Apart from the school, deliberately mixed residential units for both young families and seniors were gradually built there, and the entire square was equipped with cozy recreational spaces.

  • Students having lunch on the terrace.

The excursion ended with a relaxed (and very filling!) hour at a Wolkersdorf wine tavern.