Brenner Base Tunnel – Italian Financing

The project consists of a cross-border railway tunnel of approximately 55.5 km crossing the Alps between Innsbruck (Austria) and Fortezza (Italy) to be used for freight and high speed passenger transport. The project in a wider sense also will have to comprise the implementation of major additional infrastructures on both its northern and southern access routes between Munich and Verona.

The project will provide a shorter and more efficient alternative to the existing (above ground-level) pass route and should lead to a modal shift from road to rail.

The project falls under Annex 1 of the EU Directive 85/337/EEC. Compliance with all applicable EU and national environmental legislation on environment will be verified during appraisal, with particular focus on the following:

• SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment), in accordance with EU Directive 2001/42;
• EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment), in accordance with Directive 85/337/EEC (and following amendments Directive 97/11/EC and 2003/35/E);
• Nature Conservation, in accordance with EU Habitat Directive 92/43/EEC (especially Articles 6, 10 and 12) and EU Birds Directive 74/409/EEC.

The Bank will require the Promoter to ensure that the contracts related to the project have been or shall be tendered in accordance with EU public procurement procedures.