2024-09-17 16:08:47
The first main tunnel breakthrough on Austrian territory for the Brenner Base Tunnel (BBT) took place on Tuesday. This breakthrough connected the “H21 Sillschlucht” construction lot in the Innsbruck city area with the “H41 Sillschlucht-Pfons” construction lot. Previously, 2.4 kilometers of tunnel had been dug in the direction of Innsbruck at “H41” using classic drill and blast methods. “This is a milestone,” said BBT board member Martin Gradnitzer at the groundbreaking 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.”
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.
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.
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What are the environmental benefits of the Brenner Base Tunnel project?
Table of Contents
Milestone Achieved: Brenner Base Tunnel Breakthrough on Austrian Territory
The Brenner Base Tunnel (BBT) project has reached a significant milestone with the first main tunnel breakthrough on Austrian territory. The breakthrough connects the “H21 Sillschlucht” construction lot in the Innsbruck city area with the ”H41 Sillschlucht-Pfons” construction lot, marking a crucial step towards the completion of the tunnel. This achievement brings us closer to realizing the benefits of the BBT, including relieving the burden on local populations and promoting climate protection.
A Milestone in the Making
The breakthrough is the result of 2.4 kilometers of tunnel digging in the direction of Innsbruck using classic drill and blast methods. BBT board member Martin Gradnitzer hailed the achievement as a ”milestone” towards the completion of the BBT, which is currently scheduled for 2032. The BBT is an essential component of the new rail connection from Munich to Verona and forms a core part of the TEN-V core network corridor Scandinavia-Mediterranean.
A Project of the Century
Innsbruck’s mayor Johannes Anzengruber emphasized the historical importance of the breakthrough on Innsbruck soil, calling the BBT a “project of the century” that is “extremely important for Innsbruck.” He also described the tunnel as an “underground bridge for the future of Europe.” The BBT is indeed a project of great significance, with the potential to revolutionize European mobility and reduce carbon emissions.
Government Support
State Transport Minister René Zumtobel (SPÖ) described the BBT as “essential for the mobility transition in Austria,” emphasizing the need for a ”future federal government” to recognize its importance and advantages. Transport and Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) also expressed her support for the project, highlighting its role in creating a climate-friendly and efficient transportation system.
Technical Masterpiece
The BBT is a testament to human ingenuity and engineering expertise. With a total length of 55 kilometers, it will be the longest underground railway connection in the world when completed. The tunnel will run from Innsbruck to Franzensfeste in South Tyrol, passing through some of the most challenging geological formations in the Alps.
Construction Update
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 set to begin in March 2023 and is expected to last until summer 2028. Of the total 22.5 kilometers, 2.4 kilometers have already been completed, paving the way for the recent breakthrough.
Environmental Benefits
The BBT is not only a significant infrastructure project but also an environmentally friendly one. By shifting freight and passenger traffic from roads to rails, the tunnel will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and relieve congestion on the Brenner Highway. The BBT is an effective measure for climate protection, and its completion will mark a major step towards a more sustainable transportation system.
Conclusion
The first main tunnel breakthrough on Austrian territory is a significant milestone in the Brenner Base Tunnel project. This achievement brings us closer to realizing the benefits of the BBT, including climate protection, reduced congestion, and improved mobility. As a project of great importance, the BBT deserves continued support and recognition from governments, stakeholders, and the public.
Keywords: Brenner Base Tunnel, Austria, tunnel breakthrough, infrastructure, mobility, climate protection, sustainable transportation, European mobility, tunnel construction, transportation system.
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– What is the significance of the Brenner Base Tunnel breakthrough in Austria?
The Brenner Base Tunnel: A Milestone Breakthrough in Austria
In a groundbreaking ceremony held on Tuesday, the first main tunnel breakthrough on Austrian territory for the Brenner Base Tunnel (BBT) took place, marking a significant milestone in the project’s progress. The breakthrough connected the “H21 Sillschlucht” construction lot in the Innsbruck city area with the “H41 Sillschlucht-Pfons” construction lot, bringing the project one step closer to its scheduled completion in 2032.
A Key Moment for the Future of European Mobility
According to BBT board member Martin Gradnitzer, this breakthrough is a crucial step towards completing the Brenner Base Tunnel, which will not only relieve the burden on the population but also play a vital role in climate protection. The tunnel, once completed, will be the longest underground railway connection in the world, spanning 55 kilometers between Innsbruck and Franzensfeste in South Tyrol.
A Project of the Century
Innsbruck’s mayor Johannes Anzengruber described the Brenner Base Tunnel as a “project of the century” that is extremely important for Innsbruck, emphasizing its historical significance and its role as an “underground bridge for the future of Europe.” Similarly, Transport and Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler hailed the project as a “technical masterpiece” that will shape the future of European mobility.
A Key Element of the TEN-V Core Network Corridor
The Brenner Base Tunnel forms a core part of the new rail connection from Munich to Verona and is a key element of the TEN-V core network corridor Scandinavia-Mediterranean. Once built, the flat railway tunnel will enable fast, climate-friendly, and efficient transportation between Austria and Italy.
Construction Progress and Timeline
Work on the Innsbruck Sill Gorge (H21) began in August 2020 and is scheduled to be completed by autumn 2024, with a contract value of 59.5 million euros. The construction of the main tunnel tube H41 is set to begin in March 2023 and is expected to last until summer 2028, with a cost of around 651 million euros. Currently, 2.4 kilometers of the 22.5-kilometer tunnel have been completed, leading to the recent breakthrough.
Challenges and Future Plans
Despite the progress made, the project has faced challenges, including a significant increase in costs from the originally calculated EUR 9.6 billion to EUR 10.5 billion. The tunnel was initially scheduled to be operational by the end of 2028, but the deadline has been pushed back to 2032.
Conclusion
The Brenner Base Tunnel breakthrough in Austria marks a significant milestone in the project’s progress, bringing the region one step closer to a more efficient, climate-friendly, and connected future. As a key element of the TEN-V core network corridor Scandinavia-Mediterranean, the tunnel will play a vital role in shaping the future of European mobility.
Keywords: Brenner Base Tunnel, Austria, Innsbruck, Martin Gradnitzer, Johannes Anzengruber, Leonore Gewessler, TEN-V core network corridor, Scandinavia-Mediterranean, climate protection, European mobility.
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