The Brenner Base Tunnel (BBT) is a straight, flat railway tunnel connecting two countries. It runs for 55 km between Innsbruck (in Austria) and Fortezza (in Italy).

In May 1994, a railway bypass was opened south of Innsbruck, known as the Inn valley tunnel. This 12.7 km tunnel links to the Brenner Base Tunnel. Passenger and freight trains along this stretch will therefore not only travel through the Brenner Base Tunnel, but for a few kilometres, through the Inn valley tunnel as well. This line, totalling 64 kilometres, will become the longest underground railway connection in the world.

Tunnels & tubes
Base tunnel
Exploratory tunnel
Logistics & drainage
Safety
Length
Geology
Tunnels & tubes
Tunnels & tubes

The BBT is a complex tunnel system. Besides the two main tubes and the exploratory tunnel, there are connecting tunnels, side tunnels and emergency stops plus four lateral access tunnels. A single track runs through each of the two main tubes.

Base tunnel
Base tunnel

We speak of a base tunnel when a tunnel runs through a mountain without noticeable sloping (so it may also be called a low-gradient railway). Base tunnels are built almost only through high mountain ranges.

Exploratory tunnel
Exploratory tunnel

The exploratory tunnel is important to obtain further information about the inside of the mountain and therefore plan the construction of the main tubes with a higher degree of precision.

Logistics & drainage
Logistics & drainage

During the construction of the main tubes, the spoil will be removed through the exploratory tunnel. Construction can therefore continue undisturbed. The exploratory tunnel also serves as a drainage tunnel for underground waters that collect in the entire tunnel system.

Safety
Safety

Both main tunnels are linked every 333 m by connecting side tunnels. These are safe areas in which passengers can find refuge and reach the other tunnel. From there, a rescue train can bring them to one of the three emergency stations. An access tunnel leads from these underground stations to the open air.

Length
Length

It stretches for 64 km between Fortezza and the tunnel entrance in Tulfes, near the Innsbruck bypass that was built in 1994. The length of the tunnel from Fortezza to Innsbruck is 55 km.

Geology
Geology

The geological information we have is based on preliminary prospection studies that have been going on for decades. So far 200 prospection borings have been carried out, in which over 35,000 m of stone were removed from the mountain, to evaluate the rock mass along the planned tunnel route.

The BBT consists of two tubes, each 8.1 m wide, running 40-70 m apart from one another. These tubes are each equipped with a single track, meaning that train traffic through the tubes is one-way. The two tubes are linked every 333 m by connecting side tunnels. These can be used in emergencies as escape routes. This configuration conforms to the highest security standards for tunnels.

A peculiar feature of the Brenner Base Tunnel (BBT) is the exploratory tunnel running from one end to the other. This tunnel lies between the two main tunnels and about 12 m below them and with a diameter of 5 m is noticeably smaller than the main tubes. The excavations currently underway on the exploratory tunnel should provide information on the rock mass and thereby reduce construction costs and times to a minimum. The exploratory tunnel will be essential for drainage when the BBT becomes operational.

The BBT runs for 64 km between Tulfes/Innsbruck and Fortezza, making it the longest underground railway stretch in the word. The BBT ends in Innsbruck in the existing railway bypass tunnel, which ends in Tulfes. A new rescue tunnel is being built running parallel to the bypass. The two-tube tunnel system between Innsbruck and Fortezza is 55 km long.

The slope in the base tunnel is 4-7 ‰. The apex height is 790 above sea level, lying 580 m below the Brenner Pass itself (1,370 m a.s.l.).

Basic data
TEN Corridor: SCAN-MED (Scandinavia-Mediterranean)9.400 km Railways
Length of the new Brenner railway line from Munich to Verona435 km
Total tunnel length (from the Innsbruck bypass to Fortezza)64 km
Length of the base tunnel (from the Innsbruck portal to the Fortezza portal)55 km
Maximum overburden1.720 m
Internal diameter of main tunnels8.1 m
Internal diameter of exploratory tunnel6 m
Longitudinal grade4 ‰ - 7 ‰
Design speed for freight traffic120 km/h
Design speed for passenger traffic250 km/h
Energy supply for railway traction15 kV 16,7 Hz and 25 kV 50 Hz
Control and command systemETCS Level 2
Upper surface of the rails at the Innsbruck portal603 m a.s.l.
Upper surface of the rails at its highest point (Brenner)794 m a.s.l.
Upper surface of the rails at the Fortezza portal749 m a.s.l.
Distance between the connecting side tunnels333 m
Emergency stops (Innsbruck, St. Jodok, Trens)3
Spoil21,5 Mio. m³
Total length of the tunnel system230 km
Excavation methods 50% Drill and Blasting
50% Tunnel boring machine (TBM)
Estimated costs for the project (price basis 01/01/2023)

The breakdown of the estimated total costs of the project is as follows:
  • Construction costs are estimated at 8.54 billion EUR. This amount includes the costs for railway outfitting.
  • Risk provision is estimated at 1.092 billion EUR.
  • Preliminary monetary adjustment, meaning the probable inflation applicable to future costs, is currently estimated at 903 million EUR.
10.535 billion €
Planning and construction phases:
Phase I: preliminary project and prospection
Phase II: final project and Environmental Impact Assessment
Phase IIa: exploratory section
Phase III: main tunnel
1999-2003
2003-2010
2007-2013
2011-2032
4 access tunnels
The lateral access tunnels in Ampass, Ahrental, Wolf and in Mules link the Brenner Base Tunnel with the outside world.
333 meters
Smaller cross-tunnels connecting the two main tubes are located every 333 m.
3 Emergency Stopping Areas
In case of unforeseen events, trains can halt at the underground emergency stops (Innsbruck, St. Jodok, Trens).
35,000 meters
For the project planning, 35,000 metres of prospection boreholes were drilled. These provide information on the geological conditions inside the mountain.
25 kV 50 Hz
Railway traction will be 25 kV 50 Hz. The European-level signalling system ERTMS II will be installed.