Austria and Italy mark inaugural achievement in the drilling of the Brenner Base Tunnel
The Brenner Base Tunnel, a significant European transport project, is making progress, with the heads of government of Austria and Italy recently visiting the border pass at the Brenner for a milestone event. However, the project is facing several challenges that could potentially delay its completion.
The current issue revolves around the controlled passage of trucks through Austria, which has led to long traffic jams in Bavaria. This situation has sparked resistance from local politicians and citizens' initiatives in Bavaria, who are opposed to an additional route, particularly over the number of kilometers that should run underground and the relocation of the connecting point at Kirnstein.
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the breakthrough of the tunnel as a "major step," but concerns have been raised about the connecting railway line in Bavaria and the lack of financial resources. Germany, it seems, is behind schedule and needs to accelerate construction, although the specific German politician expressing these concerns remains unnamed in the search results.
The railway has rejected the relocation of the connecting point at Kirnstein, citing safety regulations. The road connection on the Brenner route has been overloaded for years, and the approach route in Bavaria for the full use of the Brenner route needs expansion. However, there is no binding plan on the German side for the approach route in the Inn valley.
The Italian government has taken legal action, filing a lawsuit against Austria at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) due to the heavy goods traffic on the Brenner route. The Brenner route is one of the most important north-south connections over the Alps, and the Brenner Base Tunnel is intended to significantly shorten rail journeys between Munich and Northern Italy.
Despite these challenges, the breakthrough of the two main tubes of the Brenner Base Tunnel is scheduled for next year, and the exploration tunnel has already been celebrated as a milestone. The 55-kilometer-long tunnel is considered a crucial European transport project, with the potential to revolutionise transportation between Northern and Southern Europe.
However, with ongoing disputes and financial concerns, the future of the Brenner Base Tunnel project remains uncertain. The coming months will likely see continued negotiations and potential solutions to these challenges, as all parties strive to ensure the successful completion of this important project.
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