Arlberg railway tunnel officially opened for traffic

After finishing the renovation works, the Arlberg railway tunnel was solemnly opened for normal operation on 9 December 2010. Apart from the Arlberg road tunnel, this approx. 10.65 km railway tunnel is the only direct connection between the federal states of Tyrol and Vorarlberg which is open all year round.

The renovation works during ongoing operation began in 2004 and comprise the safety upgrade as well as the construction of escape and rescue routes connecting the railway and the road tunnel. A unique combined tunnel rescue concept for both the road and the railway tunnel was developed. In addition, the railway equipment was updated, the structure gauge was enlarged to meet the requirements of modern railway traffic in combination with lowering the invert and the existing brickwork was rehabilitated.

On behalf of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), ILF was in charge of the study of alternatives, the permit application, the tender design and the construction design.

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