Skip to main content

Tunnel project for south German town to restart

Construction work is to restart on a new tunnel project in the South German town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen following the necessary approvals having been received. The town lies to the south of Munich and is a popular winter ski resort, while in summer it also experiences heavy tourist traffic as it lies on a key route between Germany and Austria, as well as Italy, lying to the south. The busy Autobahn 95 connects Munich’s southern side with Garmisch-Partenkirchen. But this route ends just to the northern si
August 5, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

Construction work is to restart on a new tunnel project in the South German town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen following the necessary approvals having been received. The town lies to the south of Munich and is a popular winter ski resort, while in summer it also experiences heavy tourist traffic as it lies on a key route between Germany and Austria, as well as Italy, lying to the south. The busy Autobahn 95 connects Munich’s southern side with Garmisch-Partenkirchen. But this route ends just to the northern side of the town, where it joins with the B2. Traffic delays are commonplace during peak periods, particularly during winter and summer holiday times.

To help alleviate the traffic issues, a 3.6km tunnel will be bored through the Kramer mountain, connecting with an additional 2km of link roads. Preparatory work on this bore commenced in 2010 but ground to a halt in 2013 due to unexpectedly high groundwater levels as well as legal challenges over environmental concerns. An Austrian contractor will now start work on the new drive in the second quarter of 2020, with completion planned for 2024 and building costs expected to hit €264 million.

Work on an additional bypass tunnel for the Partenkirchen side of the town (on the eastern side of the Partnach River) is not likely to be ready for traffic until 2030.

Related Content

  • Brisbane's highway of distinction
    August 2, 2012
    A massive AU$2 billion update of the Gateway Motorway in Queensland is underway to improve an infrastructure stretched by population boom. Report and photographs by Adrian Greeman Just 20 years after the Australian city of Brisbane built its Gateway Motorway with a high slim signature bridge dominating the river skyline, the road is being completely revamped. Some 12km of urban route on the south of the Brisbane River is being expanded to take much increased traffic levels; the north is getting a completely
  • Taiwan bridge link project moving ahead
    February 23, 2017
    Construction of the Kinmen Bridge in Taiwan has now been resumed, with work having restarted on the project in late 2016. The bridge will be 5.4km long in all and will have a 1.05km long main section, connecting the islands of Greater Kinmen and Little Kinmen (also known as Lieyu). The project includes building approach roads for the bridge as well as cuttings and connecting ramps. Costing US$292 million and with funding being provided jointly by Taiwan’s Government and the local authorities, the bridge is
  • Sandvik’s DT1131i jumbo and iSURE software in Iceland and Norway
    August 14, 2019
    Sandvik’s DT1131i three-boom, electro-hydraulic jumbo, iSURE tunnel management software and the latest drill bit hardware were recently put to the test in Iceland and Norway* Czech contractor Metrostav recently achieved 105m of tunnel excavation in a record-breaking six days. But it will be consistent performance and progress that will see Iceland’s Dyrafjordurgong Tunnel in the remote Westfjords region open on time and on budget. The 5.3km Dyrafjordurgong Tunnel is costing around €69 million and due
  • Croatia road and bridge projects
    January 23, 2018
    China Road and Bridges Corporation (CRBC) is the main contractor for Croatia’s Peljeski road and bridge construction project. A number of local firms are in discussions regarding sub-contracts for the project. The link will cost around €264 million to construct. The Croatian firm Brodosplit is in discussions to supply the 70,000tonnes of steel required for the bridge.