Plöckenpass: Experts recommend an alternative route for a safe connection

Plöckenpass: Experts recommend an alternative route for a safe connection

On November 16, 2025, the final presentation of the feasibility study on the expansion of the Plöcken Pass was presented in Tolmezzo. A bilateral working group led by Carinthia's regional councilor Martin Gruber and the Friulian regional councilor Cristina Amirante has carried out comprehensive analyzes of various route variants. Experts recommend the alternative route as the most likely solution, while the base tunnel will not be pursued further.

The feasibility study examined several variants: the base tunnel, the apex tunnel, the alternative route and the preservation of the existing route. Implementing the base tunnel and simply maintaining the existing structure is not recommended, as none of the options could offer viable solutions to the challenges at the Plöcken Pass. The alternative route has an estimated cost of around 150 million euros, while the summit tunnel would have construction costs of 531 million euros, which makes financing considerably more difficult.

Financing strategies in focus

A key finding of the working group is that national funding is necessary as EU funding is not available for the Plöckenpass. The reason for this is that the pass is not part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). This decision was taken after the meeting in Tolmezzo, where the different variants were evaluated. This makes it clear that both the Austrian and Italian governments must commit to financing the summit tunnel and the alternative route.

The Italian road administration ANAS is tasked with preparing the documents for the discussions with the national ministries. A permanent technical working group will also be set up to coordinate the planning steps between Carinthia, Friuli and ANAS. The aim of this strategy is to ensure a modern and safe infrastructure for the population and companies.

Ecological considerations and local concerns

The “Greens of Carinthia” welcome the decision not to create a new transit route and instead demand reliable and safe connections between Upper Carinthia and Friuli. The plans for the alternative route should be examined closely, particularly with regard to ecological guardrails, in order to minimize the impact on the region.

In the context of current developments, it is important to consider the general financial framework for transport infrastructure in Europe. According to the European Commission, over 7 billion euros in funding is available from the Connecting Europe Facility, but not for projects like the Plöcken Pass. These funds mainly flow into rail construction projects, which are also intended to contribute to achieving the EU's climate goals.

Overall, the decision to use an alternative route on the Plöcken Pass shows a clear preference for a long-term and sustainable solution that should meet both transport and environmental policy requirements.