Salzburger expropriated by ÖBB, his house is demolished – Salzburg
For years, the now 86-year-old had fought against the loss of his house. In vain. Now he was expropriated at the request of the ÖBB.
Adolf Gründl had lived in the house in Golling near Salzburg since his youth. After years of litigation, it is now clear: the now 86-year-old has to move out. For the first time in two decades, the ÖBB had a citizen of Austria expropriated.
Objection is no longer possible, the last grace period has passed on Saturday. According to “Salzburger Nachrichten”, the legally valid decision is based on a completed expropriation procedure. Accordingly, the public interest outweighs the individual interest of the homeowner.
House stands in the way of new level crossing
Reason for the dispute that has raged since 2017: Gründl’s house is right next to the ÖBB-Tauern route, exactly where a new 27 million euro railway underpass is planned. The first excavators rolled in already in August, the disputed property was walled in with construction fences – “Today” reported.
“If it’s your own home, you want to stay. That’s clear,” said the Tennengau resident, described by neighbors as a stubborn person, in the “Krone Bunt”. An expert from ÖBB had estimated the transfer of his house at around 300,000 euros. For the Gründl, who had lived there for more than 70 years, this is in no way related to the emotional value. “I designed everything myself,” says the retired plumber proudly. His home for him? Priceless.
ÖBB is “aware of the tragedy”
ÖBB approached Gründl ten years ago. In the first plans there was still space for a level crossing and a house, but in the end the proposal did not prevail. The version of the ÖBB: “So in the end, after years, we unfortunately had no choice but to submit the expropriation,” emphasizes project coordinator Christian Höss in an ORF interview. However, they are aware of the tragedy and have worked with Gründl on an amicable solution.