Infrastructure project connects Austria and Italy through Brenner Pass

On September 18, 2025, workers commenced drilling the initial tunnel under the Brenner Pass, which establishes a connection between Austria and Italy. This significant undertaking is part of a broader initiative aimed at transforming the transportation grid within Europe, specifically enhancing train travel between major metropolitan areas and transferring freight from roadways to rail. The Brenner Base Tunnel, when finished, is projected to be the world's longest underground rail tunnel and is integral to EU's plans for improved connectivity across member states. This ambitious project is among four critical infrastructure developments expected to provide substantial benefits to travel and trade. With an estimated cost of 8.8 billion euros ($10.5 billion), the Brenner Base Tunnel itself will stretch approximately 55 kilometers (34 miles) from Tulfes, Austria, to Fortezza, Italy, with completion anticipated by 2031 and the first passenger services to commence in 2032. The new tunneling operations are not only about improving convenience for travelers but also aimed at reducing the heavy truck traffic on one of Europe’s busiest north-south routes. Additionally, these projects will greatly reduce travel times. For example, the travel duration between Munich and Verona is expected to decrease by 40% to just three hours, while the link between Milan and Paris will be shortened by at least 30% to about 4.5 hours. Importantly, these developments signal the first major upgrades to Italy's rail system since the introduction of the Rome-Milan high-speed line in 2008. The Brenner Base Tunnel stands alongside other notable infrastructure initiatives, including the 13.5 billion-euro Strait of Messina Bridge, which will link the Italian mainland with Sicily, and the Lyon-Turin High-Speed Rail Tunnel project, intended to alleviate road congestion by diverting over a million heavy vehicles onto rail. These ambitious European Union projects, now in various stages of progress, signal a transformative era for how Italians and Europeans travel and transport goods, with far-reaching implications on transport efficiency, trade logistics, and environmental sustainability.