Brenner Base Tunnel achieves breakthrough between Austria and Italy

Construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel has reached a major milestone with the successful breakthrough between Austria and Italy. On July 28, 2026, mining teams from both countries met for the first time at the border, approximately 1,400 meters below the Brenner Pass.

The 55-kilometer tunnel system aims to connect Innsbruck in Austria with Franzensfeste in South Tyrol, Italy. Once completed, the project is expected to allow passenger trains to traverse the Brenner corridor in just 25 minutes, providing a significant rail alternative to the heavily congested Brenner motorway.

The project, which began in 2015, is scheduled for completion in 2032. According to South Tyrol officials, all 230 kilometers of the tunnel system have now been excavated, merging two separate construction sites into one unified operation.