New Tracks towards Brenner 26/10/18

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Deutsche Bahn, together with ÖBB, has presented several variants where the new double-track line that could be built.

July 2018

The plans for a new double-track railway line through the Bavarian Inntal towards Brenner have taken an important step forward.  DB and ÖBB presented several variants where the new double track line, which will increase the capacity for the future Brenner Base Tunnel, is to be built.  This should bring more cargo to rail and relieve the congested Brenner motorways from truck traffic.

The future route could run east of Rosenheim at Stephanskirchen or west of Kolbermoor. Further south along the Inn valley there are suggestions for eastern and western variants. Shortly before the Austrian border, the Inn valley becomes so narrow that most variants lead at least on a section near the existing railway line near the motorway. Some sections of the line could run in tunnels.

By the beginning of 2020, DB and ÖBB want to make a selection and commit themselves to a specific routing for the new railway line. Critical citizens' initiatives claim that capacities on the existing route are not exhausted and would be sufficient when the Brenner Base Tunnel will open in 2026 between Innsbruck in Tyrol and Franzensfeste in South Tyrol. From then freight trains will no longer have to pass the 1370-meter-high pass.

The base tunnel will increase train path capacity to up to 400 trains daily. Almost 200 trains run presently on the German side – half as many as to be made possible with the new tracks.  Tyrol, which is in dispute with Germany over the number of trucks allowed to cross the border, is putting pressure on advancing the expansion of railways.

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