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April 18, 2011
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- Innsbruck was kicked off the construction phase of the base tunnel Brenner rail tunnel
- It is expected that the work will cost about eight billion euro and will be completed by 2025
 Today in Innsbruck hosted the ceremony for the approval and commencement of work to build the tunnel under the Brenner rail tunnel which, with two parallel tunnels with low slope, connecting Innsbruck with Fortress. The work is part of the European Corridor 1 Berlin-Palermo. The base tunnel will be 55 km long and, once connected to a junction south of Innsbruck with existing underground, will create the world's longest rail tunnel (64 km).
- The cost of building the tunnel base agreed by Austria and Italy amounted to about eight billion euro, including provisions for risks, which will be financed by the two nations and which will include the € 786 million allocated by the European Union from the budget TEN-T within the financial perspective 2007-13.
- The excavation work in the exploration and access tunnel began in 2008.The agreement between Italy and Austria can now start work on the main gallery from Innsbruck and Fortezza north to south. From 2016 will be the central part of the tunnel dug between Ahrental and Trens and the project should be completed by the end of 2025.
- "Today - said during the ceremony, the Italian Minister of Infrastructures and Transport, Matteoli - is truly a historic moment for Italy and Europe. This completes a long process of planning and authorization process and realize the agreements between Italy, Austria, Germany and the EU. An example of how Europe should act and work. When the tunnel is completed, will be huge benefits for the rail transport system both in terms of commercial tourism. Italy - said Matteoli - is strongly committed to this important pass of the Berlin-Palermo corridor will see the light. "
- The ceremony was attended, among others, Vice President of the European Commission responsible for Transport, Siim Kallas, the coordinator of the TEN-T Corridor 1, Pat Cox, the Austrian Minister of Transport, Doris Bures, the German Secretary for Transport, Andreas Scheurer, and the CEOs of State Railways ÖBB, Mauro Moretti and Christian Kern.
- "Today's decision - said the European Commissioner Siim Kallas - marks a major step forward. In these difficult economic times is more important than ever to invest in a sustainable policy for European transport. In line with the objectives of the White Paper on the future of transport, the Brenner Base Tunnel will provide a vital contribution to rail transport and the role it plays to make it more efficient and sustainable transport in the Alpine regions. "
- "Today's decision - has confirmed the European project coordinator Pat Cox - demonstrates the progress made in Austria and Italy in recent months as well as the platform for the Brenner corridor and other interested parties from the outset this important project a priority TEN-T. It is a tribute to all those who have worked very hard to ensure the realization of what will be one of the main European rail corridors. I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to my predecessor, the late Karel Van Miert, the key role he has done to advance, at every stage, a complex project like this. "
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