Brenner-Basetunnel (Train connection)

The world record railway project between Italy and Austria is expected to be finalized and completed by 2032. Austria began work on this project as early as 2008 to alleviate traffic on the Brenner and Inntal highways in the future. The Brenner Base Tunnel is expected to be 64 km long. Approximately 10 billion euros are allocated for the construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel, which will be shared between Austria, Italy, and the EU.

Why is the Brenner Base Tunnel being built?

Due to high traffic volumes, block clearances are performed on the A13 Brenner Tunnel once the capacity of the Brenner Tunnel is reached. During a block clearance, the risk of congestion within the tunnel is minimized by allowing vehicles into the tunnel in batches (often with the help of traffic lights). This means one thing for all travelers: additional time that they need to plan for, which they might not have or want to allocate. Therefore, the Brenner Base Tunnel is being built as a complement to the Brenner Tunnel to counteract the high congestion.

What benefits will the construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel bring?

The Brenner Base Tunnel is being built for rail traffic. It represents a new and, above all, faster way to travel between Innsbruck and Franzensfeste, whether for passengers or freight. Passenger trains can cross the route at speeds of over 200 km/h, reaching their destination in 25 minutes instead of 80 minutes. Additionally, more freight trains will be able to use the base tunnel due to the absence of elevation differences.

Truck traffic, especially, is responsible for the high volume of traffic and thus the many traffic jams. The goal of the Brenner Base Tunnel is for trucks, acting as a "rolling highway," to disappear below the mountain, allowing more goods to be transported from the roads to the railways.

However, the Brenner Base Tunnel also offers hope for passenger traffic! In the future, all travelers should be able to complete the route from Innsbruck to Franzensfeste much faster, as block clearances will be minimized or prevented by the construction. This will surely bring joy to holidaymakers!

If you plan to travel by car, please use the Brenner Tunnel and not the Brenner Base Tunnel. For more information about the Brenner Tunnel, please visit here: