Transforming a historic railway into a cycle path with MIRAGRID

Overview

The Haager Lies project in Austria transformed the Lambach-Haag am Hausruck railway line, known as Haager Lies, into Upper Austria's first barrier-free cycle path. Operational from 1901 to 2009, this historical railway line was redeveloped between 2020 and 2021 into a 22 km (13.7 mi) long cycle path. This redevelopment enhanced the regional cycle network, connecting to the Trattnachtal, Römer, and Antiesen cycle paths, and offering proximity to the Inn and Danube cycle paths.

Challenge

The main challenge in this project was ensuring stability against partial settlements when repurposing the linear structure for use as a bicycle and goods path. The project required a durable solution to prolong the life of the bound bearing layer, necessitating a weed-inhibiting fleece of at least 180 g/m² (0.59 oz/ft²). Some areas also needed specialized soil improvement measures, influencing the material selection process.

Solution

MIRAGRID^® PEC 75/75 was used as a bearing layer reinforcement, providing stability against partial settlements. Its 200 g/m² (0.65 oz/ft²) carrier geotextile fulfilled the weed-inhibiting requirements. Positioned to be permeated only by seepage water, MIRAGRID PEC 75/75 facilitated the use of PET yarns, ideal for soil improvement measures. This solution was efficient in installation and cost-effective. The timely delivery of the custom-sized 4 m x 50 m (13.1 ft x 164 ft) product reduced the need for on-site cutting and waste. The project, completed in three phases, achieved significant cost savings compared to the initial budget.