Brenner Base Tunnel: Future of Rail Infrastructure Across Alps

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Introduction

On November 29, 2023, ÖBB, the Austrian Federal Railways, announced the completion of the second main tunnel tube of the Brenner Base Tunnel. This milestone brings the world’s longest underground railway connection closer to its scheduled commissioning in 2032.

Tunnel Breakthrough

The breakthrough of the second main tunnel tube took place at a point in the Italian section near the Italian municipality of Fortezza. The tunnel is part of the 64 km-long Brenner Base Tunnel, which will connect Innsbruck, Austria, with Fortezza, Italy. The breakthrough was achieved after eight years of excavation work.

Project Details

The Brenner Base Tunnel project is a key element of the Scandinavian-Mediterranean TEN-T corridor. The excavation of the main tubes involved the use of five tunnel boring machines and conventional methods. Approximately 1,600 people were involved in the construction activities. A total of 230 km of tunnels, shafts, and connecting passages have been excavated so far. The project has a total budget of €10 billion.

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Future Operations

Once operational, the Brenner Railway Tunnel will significantly improve rail transport across the Alps. The tunnel is designed to accommodate both passenger and freight trains, with a planned capacity of up to 400 trains per day. This will allow a substantial shift of freight transport from road to rail, contributing to environmental sustainability.

Conclusion

The completion of the second main tunnel tube marks a significant achievement in the construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel, the world’s longest underground railway connection. The project, with a budget of €10 billion, is on track for commissioning in 2032 and is a critical component of the Scandinavian-Mediterranean TEN-T corridor.

Company Summary

ÖBB: ÖBB, or Austrian Federal Railways, is the national railway system of Austria.

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