Karawanken Tunnel Extension Project

The Karawanken Tunnel serves as a key link between Central Europe and Southeastern Europe. Credit: DARS dd.

The tunnel is approximately 8km long. Credit: DARS dd.

The tunnel extension is expected to reduce carbon emissions. Credit: DARS dd.

EIB provided a loan of $97.18m for the Slovenian section of the tunnel extension. Credit: DARS dd.

The Karawanken single-tube motorway tunnel across the Alpine Karawanks mountain range between Slovenia and Austria is undergoing a major expansion and upgrade programme.

This project will add a second tunnel tube located on the European Union’s (EU) Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and will refurbish the existing tube.

The extension and upgrade programme is being executed under the terms of an agreement signed by Austrian publicly owned motorway company ASFINAG and its Slovenian counterpart DARS in 2015.

The existing 8km-long tunnel is operated jointly by ASFINAG and DARS. The Austrian section of the tunnel measures 4.4km-long, while the remaining 3.6km-long section of the tunnel is located in Slovenia.

In September 2018, ASFINAG started construction work on the second tunnel tube of the Karawanken tunnel on the Austrian section. Work on the Slovenian section faced delays due to a review of the contract for the second tunnel.

Karawanken serves as a major motorway tunnel link between the two countries, connecting Central Europe with South-Eastern Europe. It is the longest road tunnel in Slovenia. The tunnel extension will link the Baltic, Adriatic and Mediterranean corridors of the TEN-T network.

The expansion project is estimated to involve an investment of approximately €202m ($236m). The tunnel breakthrough is expected in 2022, while the second tube is expected to become operational in early 2024. The renovation of the first tunnel will take place between 2024 and 2026 and the line will be fully expanded by early 2026.

Purpose of Karawanken Tunnel extension

The project is important for the development of a comprehensive European road network, as well as the improvement of the direct connection of two core TEN-T corridors.

Two-way traffic on the existing tunnel hinders the rapid movement of vehicles and fails to meet the minimum safety requirements. The extension will improve the traffic flow and safety of the cross-border tunnel, allowing it to comply with the safety regulations for tunnels along the TEN-T corridor.

The expansion project aims to reduce long queues on both sides of the tunnel and the probability of accidents. It will meet the increased traffic demands and enhance the safety of travellers, while also improving traffic flow on the network linking the Balkans and Central Europe.

Karawanken Tunnel extension design and construction

The tunnel tube will be excavated from both sides of the mountain range. The existing highway in Austria will be connected to the new tunnel.

The second tunnel tube will occupy an area of 114 to 155m² and limit the impact on the current tunnel tube by reducing the allowed deformations.

Different technologies used during the design process include advanced 3D geological modelling, 3D CFD analysis for ventilation design and evacuation simulation, building information modelling (BIM), and numerical modelling of tunnel excavations.

Construction of the second tunnel tube and renovation of the existing tunnel will ensure that the tunnel conforms to the safety standards under Directive 2004 / 54 / EC.

Funding

The tunnel expansion project is funded by Austria and Slovenia and co-financed by the EU.

In February 2020, the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a €90m ($97.18m) agreement with DARS to support the expansion under the Investment Plan for Europe.

EIB will also provide a €95m ($102.58m) loan to ASFINAG to fund the connection of the existing highway to the tunnel.

Karawanken Tunnel extension project benefits

The expansion will create new business opportunities in the region and improve road safety. In addition, it will reduce travel time during peak times and increase the permissible maximum speed in the tunnel.

The upgrade and extension of the Karawanken Tunnel will benefit the passengers on the TEN-T by providing a faster and more convenient road connection between Slovenia and Austria.

The tunnel extension will enable the easy movement of people, goods and services and will also provide access for heavy goods vehicles throughout the year. The project will help reduce CO₂ emissions and other pollutants, including nitrogen oxide (NOx) and hydrocarbons.

Contractors involved

ELEA iC Engineering and Consulting was awarded a contract to provide services related to conceptual design, BIM, geological investigations and permit design safety documents for the tunnel extension project.

Bexel Consulting was awarded a contract to provide BIM review, including a review of the BIM execution plan and clash detection reports. Turkish contractor Cengiz Insaat won a contract to construct the Slovenian section of the tunnel.