22.11.2024 In the medium term, the Arlberg Tunnel’s month-long closure comes to an end on November 22 – a new toll booth and comprehensive road refurbishment completed on schedule.
ASFINAG invested a total of 75 million euros in this completed renovation phase and significantly increased safety for almost 9,000 road users every day through a new road and optimized drainage. In addition, a new toll forecourt and a fully sustainable toll booth were created with modern workplaces. A total of over 100 million euros went into the security and service upgrade on the Arlberg.
Good news: The fourth suspension is the last disability for years
One thing is clear: the Arlberg Tunnel remains one of the safest tunnels in Europe. ASFINAG has ensured this since 2005: from the construction of exits and rescue routes between the railway and the road tunnels, to safety upgrades with thermal scanners, more exits and a high-pressure spray system, to the renewal of the road now finished. Closing the only weather-independent link between Tyrol and Vorarlberg is a massive infrastructure intervention. The regional diversion over the passport worked out of a long and intensive preparation of a comprehensive diversion concept; The performance of the state’s road maintenance departments, even in exceptional situations such as storms and winter road maintenance, was an essential guarantee that everything went well. With total investments now in excess of 300 million euros, it is also clear that this was the closure for the last month of the Arlberg Tunnel for years to come. Of course, maintenance and renovations still need to be done, but these can be planned more acceptably.
Mega construction site with masterpieces
Building the 14 kilometer long Arlberg Tunnel was a challenge. 7,500 meters of renewal of the main tunnel drainage, 110,000 square meters of new coating, 23,000 cubic meters of concrete road and 105,000 square meters of asphalt base course is the calling card of an unusual construction site. In some cases, more than 200 people were employed in the tunnel, and the construction time for such huge amounts was also very demanding. Fortunately, no major accidents or personal injuries occurred during the construction work; the main reason for this was a sophisticated safety concept from the on-site execution companies, who were always able to locate everyone in the tunnel using “so-called”. tag”.
Everything is focused on traffic safety for the 9,000 road users who use the tunnel every day.
Less impact on the environment by using existing resources
By using light-colored aggregate for the concrete road surface, ASFINAG significantly reduces the electricity requirement for lighting. Simply adding about 35 percent of this type of rock improves the amount of reflection and enables savings of 210,000 kWh per year – this corresponds to the consumption of 40 single family homes. Calculated over the entire planned service life of the new road, ASFINAG expects savings of 8.4 gigawatt hours of electricity or 1.5 million euros assuming the current price of electricity during operation.
In addition, the new toll booth was built sustainably. Wood was the main building material, and a high recycling rate meant that much of the material removed could be reused. This means: 13,000 tonnes of recycled concrete could be installed – saving 650 truck trips.
They have created traffic and communication concepts themselves
Two years before the start of work, ASFINAG began providing intensive information about alternative routes and construction work. Working together with economic chambers, police, authorities and the federal states, we were able to ensure that there was no major disruption to the alternative regional route Arlberg Pass during the four closures. The restoration work at the B 198/L 68 intersection with the traffic lights there and the constant truck checks by the police have contributed greatly to this. This monitored the destination and source traffic regulation for heavy traffic over the pass. Of course, the exceptional cases after the storms on the Tyrolean and Vorarlberg side were excluded. Here, too, it was possible to eliminate the obstacles after the mudslides in a short time.
Key details regarding the 2023/2024 Arlberg Tunnel refurbishment
- Length of the Arlberg Tunnel: 13,972 meters
- Commissioning: December 1, 1978
- Costs of the second stage of the renovation: 75 million euros
- Proposed closure: April 24 to October 6, 2023; April 15 to November 22, 2024
- Daily traffic in the tunnel: 8,000 vehicles/24 hours
- Concrete road 23,000 m3
- 105.000 m2 Asphaltragschicht
- tunnel shield 110,000 m2
- 12,000 m2 of waterproof gallery buildings
Modernization of the main data of the Arlberg toll station
- Investment in the modernization of the toll booth: 30.5 million euros
- 3,900 square meters of concrete ceiling
- 1,200 cubic meters of wooden structures
- 340 tons of steel construction
- 2,000 cubic meters of concrete
- In the future, approximately 50,000 square meters of surface water will be professionally cleaned in two basins with a volume of 900 cubic meters each
How do infrastructure projects like the Arlberg Tunnel contribute to local economic growth?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Infrastructure Expert
Editor: Good morning, and welcome to another edition of Time.news. Today, we’re diving into the completion of the Arlberg Tunnel renovation—a significant infrastructure project in Austria. We have with us Dr. Anna Müller, a renowned civil engineer and infrastructure safety expert. Dr. Müller, thank you for joining us today!
Dr. Müller: Good morning! Thank you for having me.
Editor: The Arlberg Tunnel recently reopened after a month-long closure for renovations. Can you give us an overview of the main renovations that took place?
Dr. Müller: Absolutely! The renovation was a massive undertaking, with ASFINAG investing around 75 million euros into improvements that boost safety for almost 9,000 daily users. Key upgrades included a completely refurbished road with optimized drainage, a new toll forecourt, and a fully sustainable toll booth built primarily from wood. It’s all about enhancing safety and efficiency in such a crucial tunnel.
Editor: It sounds like a significant advancement! What specific safety measures were implemented to ensure the tunnel remains one of the safest in Europe?
Dr. Müller: There were several important upgrades. Since 2005, ASFINAG has steadily improved safety features. The latest renovations included the addition of thermal scanners, more exits, and a high-pressure spray system for emergency situations. It was essential to ensure that sectors of the tunnel were well-communicated, and an extensive sophisticated safety concept was employed during construction, allowing for real-time location tracking of all workers.
Editor: That’s impressive. With a total investment exceeding 300 million euros in the Arlberg Tunnel, how do you see these renovations impacting the surrounding region, particularly in terms of traffic flow and economic activity?
Dr. Müller: The tunnel serves as the only weather-independent link between Tyrol and Vorarlberg, so its uninterrupted operation is vital for local economies. With these upgrades in place, we should see smoother traffic flow, ultimately reducing congestion. Moreover, the improvements could attract more tourists and businesses to the region, bolstering economic activity.
Editor: You mentioned the environmental considerations taken during the renovation. Can you elaborate on how these upgrades are contributing to sustainability?
Dr. Müller: Sustainability was a core focus throughout the project. By utilizing light-colored aggregates in the road surface, ASFINAG significantly reduces the need for external lighting by improving reflection—translating to an annual saving of 210,000 kWh, which can power about 40 homes. Additionally, the new toll booth’s construction recycled over 13,000 tonnes of concrete, minimizing waste and reducing transportation needs.
Editor: It’s fantastic to see such dedication to both safety and sustainability. How did ASFINAG manage the logistical challenges during the month-long closure, especially regarding traffic detours?
Dr. Müller: They began preparations two years in advance, providing comprehensive information about alternative routes and engaging with local businesses, authorities, and traffic management entities. Their proactive communication strategy was critical in minimizing disruptions, especially during the closures over the Arlberg Pass—resulting in minimal impact on the regional economy.
Editor: It sounds like they’re setting a strong precedent for future infrastructure projects. Dr. Müller, what does the future hold for the Arlberg Tunnel and similar projects in Europe?
Dr. Müller: I believe that this renovation sets a benchmark in terms of safety, efficiency, and sustainability. The intelligence employed in project planning can serve as a model for other infrastructure upgrades across Europe. It’s crucial that we continue to invest in and modernize our transport networks to meet future demands, especially with increasing traffic and environmental concerns.
Editor: Thank you so much, Dr. Müller, for your valuable insights. The Arlberg Tunnel’s reopening certainly marks a positive step toward safer and more sustainable infrastructure. We look forward to seeing how these improvements impact the region and inspire other projects in the future!
Dr. Müller: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to see how this investment yields long-term benefits for the community and the environment.
Editor: Thank you, and thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay informed with Time.news for further updates on infrastructure developments and their wider implications.
