This article was last updated at 8:27 p.m.
53.2 percent voted against and 46.8 percent voted for the construction of the billion-dollar infrastructure project. State Governor Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP) spoke of a close but clear result. “The S-LINK will not be implemented in the foreseeable future.” Now the search for alternatives to solve the traffic problems in the central area begins.
While in the Salzburg area (Flachgau) the supporters predominated with 53.8 percent, the rejection was clearly higher in the Hallein district (Tennengau) with 56.7 percent no votes and especially in the state capital with 59.6 percent no votes . The citizens of only these three districts were surveyed on Sunday; a total of 249,600 people were eligible to vote. The voter turnout was – rated as high – 42.2 percent.
The S-LINK received very high approval rates of over 70 percent on Sunday in those communities that are already on the existing local railway line. Their citizens would have been the biggest beneficiaries of an extension. A different picture where the future route should have run: In Anif and Hallein, well over 60 percent each spoke out against the project.
Solution to traffic problems?
The S-Link, the approximately 17 kilometer long, partially underground extension of the Salzburg local railway from the main train station to Hallein, was supposed to solve the traffic problems in and around the traffic jam-plagued city of Salzburg. Specifically, on Sunday the citizens decided not on the S-Link alone, but on a “Salzburg mobility solution”, which also provides for two branch lines and a reorganization of regional bus services. The question on the ballot was: “Should the state of Salzburg work to ensure that, in the interest of reducing traffic, the extension of the local railway to Hallein (S-Link) is implemented as part of a mobility solution that also includes a Stiegl and a trade fair/airport railway .”
The construction is considered controversial not only because of the high costs. The costs for the entire project – excluding branch lines – were estimated at 2.2 billion euros in the last variant presented. As the planners emphasized, reserves for cost increases and risk premiums were already included in the calculations. The federal government had also confirmed in a framework agreement that it would cover 50 percent of the construction costs up to Hallein.
Broad political support
There was broad political support across all parliamentary groups for the S-Link, but the parties made the construction dependent on the results of the survey. Only the social democrats in the city and the country were clearly against the project. For Salzburg’s SPÖ mayor Bernhard Auinger, it was not just the railway’s potential to relieve pressure that was controversial. He fears that the construction will restrict the city’s financial scope for many years.
Auinger emphasized in an initial statement that there are no losers today, “and when I think about the budget, there are only winners.” The debate about the project divided the population and there were also many personal attacks, “and that’s why I’m glad that it’s over today.” Now it is important to work together with the country to fill in the trenches that have been torn open and to implement “the hotly debated Plan B”.
“I am extending my hand to the state and (traffic officer) Deputy State Governor Stefan Schnöll to work together to achieve improvements for the population in the city and commuters.” The mayor said he would therefore begin discussions tomorrow in order to pull together and find solutions that can be financed and initiate a turnaround in transport.
Look for alternatives
The project would have been of crucial importance for state leader Haslauer. Now the search for alternatives to solve the traffic problems in the central area begins, he said. The deputy state governor responsible for traffic, Stefan Schnöll (ÖVP), emphasized that the result was binding. “Even though I think it’s a shame how the vote turned out.” He will now sit down with the city. “There are many projects waiting to be implemented.” In addition, valuable insights for the future have been gained through the funds that have already gone into the planning.
It is not yet clear what means will be used to combat traffic jams: The ideas include expanding existing public transport, investing in more cycle paths, higher parking fees or a city toll or closing the city center to private motorized transport. It seems possible that a short trade fair railway will be pursued as a sub-project – above ground instead of underground.
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**Interview with State Governor Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP)**
**Editor:** Good evening, Governor Haslauer. Thank you for joining us today. The recent vote on the S-LINK project has garnered a significant amount of attention. Can you share your thoughts on the outcome?
**Governor Haslauer:** Thank you for having me. The vote results, with 53.2 percent against the S-LINK, were indeed close yet clear. It signifies that the citizens of Salzburg have expressed their desire for change, and we must respect that. While I am disappointed, I recognize the need to explore alternative solutions to the ongoing traffic issues in our region.
**Editor:** The rejection seems to stem from mixed sentiments in different districts. What do you think contributed to these regional differences in voting?
**Governor Haslauer:** It’s true that support varied significantly. In Flachgau, there was a majority in favor, while Hallein and the city itself showed marked opposition. This reflects the diverse perspectives of the residents affected by the project. Those along the existing railway line were likely to see immediate benefits, while others expressed concerns about costs and disruptions to their communities.
**Editor:** The estimated cost of 2.2 billion euros was highlighted as a contentious issue. How do you plan to address public concerns regarding financial implications in future proposals?
**Governor Haslauer:** Financial concerns are valid, and we fully acknowledge them. We will ensure that any future project proposals include thorough cost-benefit analyses and transparent financing plans. Engaging with the public early in the process will also be essential to build trust and gather insights.
**Editor:** With the S-LINK off the table, what are some alternatives being considered to alleviate traffic congestion in Salzburg?
**Governor Haslauer:** We’re looking at a range of options, including expanding existing public transport, enhancing cycling infrastructure, and possibly introducing higher parking fees or a city toll. Collaboration with city officials will be crucial, and we’re definitely considering a short trade fair railway as a potential sub-project.
**Editor:** Lastly, how do you envision collaboration with local leaders and citizens moving forward?
**Governor Haslauer:** I believe now is the time for unity. I plan to work closely with Mayor Auinger and the city council to develop actionable solutions that address traffic concerns while respecting community feedback. A constructive dialogue will remain pivotal as we navigate this new chapter for Salzburg’s transportation strategy.
**Editor:** Thank you, Governor Haslauer, for sharing your insights and perspectives with us today. We look forward to seeing how this develops.
**Governor Haslauer:** Thank you for having me. Let’s all work together for a better Salzburg!
