Name and Location
Brenner Base tunnel (BBT) project, Austria to Italy.

Client
Galleria di Base del Brennero – Brenner Basistunnel BBT SE.

Project Description
The BBT forms part of Line 1 – the Berlin to Palermo route – of the Trans-European Transport Networks, or TEN-T project, which aims to remove bottlenecks, upgrade infrastructure and streamline cross-border transport operations for passengers and businesses throughout the European Union (EU).

The aim is to ensure that progressively, and by 2050, the majority of Europe’s citizens and businesses will not be more than 30 minutes’ travel time away from this comprehensive network.

The BBT will stretch 64 km between Fortezza, in Italy, and Tulfes/Innsbruck, in Austria, making it the longest stretch of underground railway in the world. The BBT ends in Innusbruck in the existing railway pass tunnel, which terminates in Tulfes. A new rescue tunnel will be built parallel to the bypass.

The BBT will involve the construction of two tubes, each 8.1 m wide and about 70 m apart from each other. Each tube is equipped with a single track, resulting in one-way train traffic through the tubes. Both tubes will be connected every 333 m by connecting side tunnels.

The project includes an exploratory tunnel from one end to the other, which is located between the tunnels and about 12 m below.

Value
The project is estimated at €8.8-billion.

The BBT has been granted up to 50% cofunding by the EU for studies, planning and construction of the exploratory tunnel. For the construction of the main tubes the cofunding rate is 30%. The remaining sum is covered by the Italian and Austrian governments in equal parts.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Four construction sites are currently in operation – two each in Austria and Italy.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Galleria di Base del Brennero – Brenner Basistunnel BBT SE, tel +39 0471 0622-0 or fax +39 0471 0622-11.