Brenner Base Tunnel (Rail Transport)
The world-record rail project between Italy and Austria is set to be finalized and completed by 2032. Austria began work on it back in 2008 in order to relieve traffic on the Brenner and Inn Valley motorways in the future. The Brenner Base Tunnel is expected to reach a length of 64 km. Around 10 billion euros have been budgeted for the construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel, which will be shared by Austria, Italy, and the EU.
Why is the Brenner Base Tunnel being built?
Due to the high traffic volume, block clearance measures are implemented on the A13 at the Brenner Tunnel once the tunnel’s capacity has been reached. During block clearance, the risk of traffic jams inside the tunnel is minimized by allowing cars to enter only in waves (often controlled by traffic lights). For travelers, this means one thing above all: additional time that they have to plan for—time they may not have or do not want to spend. For this reason, the Brenner Base Tunnel is now being built as a supplement to the Brenner Tunnel in order to counteract heavy 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 for passenger and freight transport. As a result, passenger trains will be able to cross the route at over 200 km/h and reach their destination in 25 minutes instead of 80 minutes. In addition, more freight trains will be able to use the base tunnel due to the absence of steep gradients.
Benefits for truck drivers
Trucks in particular are responsible for the high traffic volume and therefore for the frequent traffic jams. The aim of the Brenner Base Tunnel is for trucks to disappear beneath the mountain as a “rolling highway”, shifting more freight from the road to the railway line.
Benefits for travelers
The Brenner Base Tunnel also offers hope for holiday traffic. In the future, all travelers should be able to cover the route from Innsbruck to Franzensfeste significantly faster, as block clearance measures will be minimized or prevented thanks to the construction. That should be especially good news for vacationers!
If you plan to travel by car, use the Brenner Tunnel and not the Brenner Base Tunnel. You can find more information about the Brenner Tunnel in our guide.
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey
We wish you a pleasant trip to Austria and hope you enjoy exploring this diverse country. You can find more information about the toll system in Austria in our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to plan your journey optimally and have suitable toll products displayed. If you have any questions, you can reach us at any time via email.
