Brenner Base Tunnel, “H61 Mules 2-3” lot

The Brenner Base Tunnel will extend for approximately 55 km between the stations of Fortezza (Italy) and Innsbruck (Austria). At Innsbruck, it will connect underground to the existing bypass tunnel, bringing the total length of the railway link to 64 km. Once completed, the Brenner Base Tunnel will be the longest underground railway link in the 
world. The project forms part of the wider upgrade of the Munich-Verona high-speed/high-capacity rail corridor and is integrated into the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), often dubbed the “European Metro”, specifically forming part of the Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor. The “Mules 2-3” construction lot is the largest section of the project and extends from the northern boundary of the adjacent lot, known as the “Isarco Underpass”, to the Italian Austrian border. The contract includes the construction of the two main line tunnels an exploratory tunnel, cross passages and the emergency stop station, one of three located along the entire route and the only one situated in Italy, together with its access tunnel. 

Benefits

1. Reduction in journey times compared with the existing rail connection: 55 minutes for passengers and 1 hour 
and 10 minutes for freight transport.
2. Modal shift from road to rail for transport links between Austria and Italy.
3. Reduction in CO₂ emissions.