Plöckentunnel polemic: environmental danger or necessary transit?

Plöckentunnel polemic: environmental danger or necessary transit?

The discussion about the planned Plöcken Tunnel, which is intended to create a new transit route between Italy and Austria, has increased in intensity in recent weeks. Citizens' initiatives as well as environmental and transport associations express their strong opposition to the project, which they consider to be ecologically risky and unnecessary in terms of transport policy. The PRO CARNICUM working group, consisting of representatives of citizens' initiatives and the Austrian Alpine Club, is vehemently opposed to the tunnel. Sepp Lederer, chairman of the Obergailtal/Lesachtal section, emphasizes that the tunnel would primarily serve transit traffic.

Critics told Gailtal Journal that the project could not only endanger the water supply on the Italian side, but also contradicts the European transport strategy. Instead of new road projects, PRO CARNICUM advocates transporting goods by rail. Faced with challenges such as traffic congestion and dependence on oil, the EU aims to shift freight transport to more environmentally friendly means of transport.

A broad resistance is forming

Resistance to the Plöckentunnel has now also formed at a political level. Citizens' initiatives in the Upper Gailtal, Upper Drautal and East Tyrol contradict the statements of the tunnel lobby. A recent report from Dolomitenstadt highlights that a meeting in Udine was used to put pressure on the responsible state councilor, Cristina Amirante. Amirante is now in favor of a 4.1 kilometer long high mountain tunnel on the Plöcken Pass, which has caused controversy across party lines.

Politicians demand a transparent decision-making process that takes technical facts and ecological sustainability into account. According to reports, the unity of all mayors in the Gailtal, which is often cited as an argument for the tunnel project, is questionable. In addition, the citizens' initiative Pro Gailtal points out the financial risks associated with the construction of the tunnel. According to the initiatives, the tunnel not only entails additional costs due to heavy traffic, but also long construction times.

Environmental and economic concerns

Geologist Maurizio Ponton warns of serious consequences for the drinking water supply and the quality of life in the region, which is threatened by the tunnel drilling. Groupings such as the argument put forward by PRO CARNICUM that the risks to the environment, drinking water, energy supply and quality of life outweigh the claimed benefits are being heard more and more. The EU's long-term goals include reducing transport-related emissions by 60% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels - a target that will not be supported by new road projects.

In summary, it can be said that the plans for the Plöckentunnel have met with sharp criticism and the need for a transparent and sustainable decision on the future transport infrastructure in the region is becoming increasingly urgent. The EU is promoting a modern infrastructure network that includes environmentally friendly and digital solutions, which means that there should be a greater focus on sustainable transport during the planning phase European Union.