With this breakthrough, the “H21 Sillschlucht” construction lot in the Innsbruck city area was now connected with the “H41 Sillschlucht-Pfons” construction lot. Previously, 2.4 kilometers of tunnel had been dug in the direction of Innsbruck at “H41” using the classic blasting method. “This is a milestone,” said BBT board member Martin Gradnitzer at the marking ceremony.
This means that we are getting closer to “the completion of the Brenner Base Tunnel“, which is currently scheduled for 2032, and with its finalization, we are taking an important step towards “relieving the burden on the population” in the near future, emphasised the board of the Brenner Base Tunnel company BBT SE at the celebrations in the approximately 130-metre-long main east tunnel in Viller Berg. “The Brenner Base Tunnel is, not least, an effective measure for more climate protection,” said Gradnitzer, summarising the future advantages of the Brenner Base Tunnel.
State Transport Minister René Zumtobel (SPÖ) described the Brenner Base Tunnel as “essential for the mobility transition in Austria”. A “future federal government” must be aware of this fact and keep a close eye on the advantages of this tunnel, Zumtobel stressed. In order for these advantages to be fully realized, one thing is also needed: “The shift from road to rail.” At the same time, the road must also be made less attractive: “The road is still far too cheap.”
Historical importance
Table of Contents
- 1 Historical importance
- 2 Core element of the new Munich-Verona rail connection
- 3 Related to geological conditions and project management, the construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel has made significant progress. Continuous innovation and dedication from the teams involved have been crucial in overcoming these hurdles, ensuring the project remains on track for its 2032 completion.
- 4 – What is the significance of the Brenner Base Tunnel in promoting European mobility?
Table of Contents
- 1 Historical importance
- 2 Core element of the new Munich-Verona rail connection
- 3 Related to geological conditions and project management, the construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel has made significant progress. Continuous innovation and dedication from the teams involved have been crucial in overcoming these hurdles, ensuring the project remains on track for its 2032 completion.
Innsbruck’s mayor Johannes Anzengruber (JA – Now Innsbruck) finally emphasized the historical importance of the “breakthrough on Innsbruck soil.” “This is a project of the century that is extremely important for Innsbruck.” The Brenner Base Tunnel is also an “underground bridge for the future of Europe,” emphasized Anzengruber, before the tunnel breakthrough took place and dust began to spread in the tunnel.
Transport and Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) was unable to attend, but she made a general statement on the Brenner Base Tunnel project in a press release. “The Brenner Base Tunnel is a project of great importance. With the longest underground railway connection in the world, the future of European mobility is being created here between Austria and Italy: fast, by rail and climate-friendly. Many thanks to the miners who are digging this future into the mountain. This is a technical masterpiece and it fills me with great pride – especially as the tunnel sponsor,” explained the Greens minister.
Work in the Innsbruck Sill Gorge (H21) – which is scheduled to be completed by autumn 2024 – began in August 2020 and was planned with a contract value of 59.5 million euros. Construction of the main tunnel tube H41 is scheduled to begin in March 2023, and this work is expected to last until summer 2028 and cost around 651 million euros. Of a total of 22.5 kilometers, 2.4 kilometers have currently been completed. This ultimately led to the breakthrough that has now taken place.
Core element of the new Munich-Verona rail connection
Once completed, the entire Brenner Base Tunnel will run for 55 kilometers between Innsbruck and Franzensfeste in South Tyrol and is considered a core element of the new rail connection from Munich to Verona. According to the ÖBB, once built, the flat railway tunnel will be “the longest underground railway connection in the world” at 64 kilometers. The tunnel also forms a core part of the TEN-V core network corridor Scandinavia-Mediterranean.
Last year, the total cost increased from the originally calculated EUR 9.6 billion to EUR 10.5 billion. Of the 230-kilometer-long tunnel system of the Brenner Base Tunnel, 178 of the 220 kilometers have been completed since construction began in 2007 – including 78 kilometers of driving tunnels, 56 kilometers of exploration tunnels and 44 kilometers of access, rescue and logistics tunnels.
The tunnel was originally scheduled to be put into operation at the end of 2028, but in 2021 it was finally backdated to 2032. In an APA interview in February of this year, Italian BBT SE board member Gilberto Cardola said the main reason for this was the Corona crisis. A “global catastrophe like Covid was not foreseeable and therefore not the risk,” said Cardola, adding that work never had to be completely interrupted during that time, but work was of course slower due to safety and health requirements.
ePaper
Breakthrough in Brenner Base Tunnel Construction: A Milestone in European Mobility
In a significant milestone for European mobility, the “H21 Sillschlucht” construction lot in the Innsbruck city area has been connected with the “H41 Sillschlucht-Pfons” construction lot, marking a major breakthrough in the construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel. This achievement brings the project closer to its scheduled completion in 2032, which will greatly benefit the environment, the economy, and the population.
Relieving the Burden on the Population and the Climate
The Brenner Base Tunnel is an essential infrastructure project that will significantly reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in the region. By shifting the transportation of goods and people from road to rail, the tunnel will contribute to a more sustainable and climate-friendly future. “The Brenner Base Tunnel is not least an effective measure for more climate protection,” emphasized BBT board member Martin Gradnitzer.
Historical Importance and Future Prospects
The Brenner Base Tunnel is a project of the century that will shape the future of European mobility. Innsbruck’s mayor Johannes Anzengruber described the breakthrough as a significant milestone, emphasizing the tunnel’s importance for the city and the continent. Once completed, the tunnel will be the longest underground railway connection in the world, spanning 55 kilometers between Innsbruck and Franzensfeste in South Tyrol.
Core Element of the New Munich-Verona Rail Connection
The Brenner Base Tunnel is a core element of the new rail connection from Munich to Verona, which will greatly improve the transportation of goods and people between Germany, Austria, and Italy. The tunnel will also form part of the TEN-V core network corridor Scandinavia-Mediterranean, further enhancing Europe’s transportation infrastructure.
Construction Progress and Challenges
Despite facing challenges
– What is the significance of the Brenner Base Tunnel in promoting European mobility?
Austria Celebrates Significant Breakthrough in Construction of Brenner Base Tunnel
In a major milestone, the “H21 Sillschlucht” construction lot in the Innsbruck city area has been successfully connected to the “H41 Sillschlucht-Pfons” construction lot, marking a significant breakthrough in the construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel. This achievement brings Austria one step closer to completing the tunnel, which is slated for completion in 2032.
Historical Importance
Innsbruck’s mayor, Johannes Anzengruber, emphasized the historical importance of the breakthrough, stating that it is a “project of the century” that is extremely important for Innsbruck. The Brenner Base Tunnel is also seen as an “underground bridge for the future of Europe,” highlighting its significance in promoting European mobility.
Core Element of the New Munich-Verona Rail Connection
Once completed, the Brenner Base Tunnel will run for 55 kilometers between Innsbruck and Franzensfeste in South Tyrol, making it a core element of the new rail connection from Munich to Verona. The tunnel will be the longest underground railway connection in the world at 64 kilometers, forming a core part of the TEN-V core network corridor Scandinavia-Mediterranean.
Relieving the Burden on the Population
The Brenner Base Tunnel is expected to relieve the burden on the population by reducing traffic congestion and promoting climate-friendly transportation. According to BBT board member Martin Gradnitzer, the tunnel is an effective measure for more climate protection and will play a crucial role in achieving Austria’s climate goals.
Construction Progress
Construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel has made significant progress, with 2.4 kilometers of tunnel already dug in the direction of Innsbruck using the classic blasting method. Work on the Innsbruck Sill Gorge (H21) began in August 2020 and is scheduled to be completed by autumn 2024. Construction of the main tunnel tube H41 is scheduled to begin in March 2023 and is expected to last until summer 2028.
Government Support
State Transport Minister René Zumtobel (SPÖ) described the Brenner Base Tunnel as “essential for the mobility transition in Austria” and emphasized the need for a “future federal government” to be aware of the tunnel’s advantages. Transport and Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) also highlighted the importance of the project, stating that it is a “technical masterpiece” that fills her with pride.
Conclusion
The breakthrough in the construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel marks a significant milestone in Austria’s efforts to promote climate-friendly transportation and relieve the burden on its population. With its completion, Austria will take a major step towards achieving its climate goals and promoting European mobility.
