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RFI and Italferr are developing variants for the construction of the second track along the Bolzano – Merano railway Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) and Italferr are developing variants for the expansion of the Bolzano – Merano railway, which will provide new travel opportunities for the South Tyrol region. The project involves the modernisation of the existing 37 km single-track line and the construction of a 31.5 km second track, as well as a new station. The updated calculations for the areas required for the construction of the line were presented on 31 March 2025, during a meeting with representatives from the province, municipalities, and landowners, all of whom are involved in the project. Various route variants are being examined, particularly near Terlano, where the current station location no longer meets long-term requirements. The station lacks accessibility, and the curvature radius is insufficient. RFI and Italferr are working on alternatives. “The passenger potential between Bolzano and Merano is very high. With the expansion, we can double the number of passengers and simultaneously improve the reliability of rail transport significantly,” said Daniel Alfreider, the Councillor for Mobility of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano. The technical and economic feasibility project will be finalised in the first part of 2025, after which the approval process will begin. The Director of the Mobility and Infrastructure Department, Martin Vallazza, explained that “the railway is only attractive if it is punctual, barrier-free, and easily accessible. That is why this goal is being pursued.” In February 2025, Councillor Alfreider presented the project to double-track the Bolzano – Merano railway line to trade associations and representatives of district communities. According to a survey, 80% of those interviewed are in favour of the project. The survey, conducted between June and July 2023 among 1,000 citizens aged between 16 and 99 in the Adige Valley, Venosta Valley, Bolzano, Merano, and the Merano area, shows that 79% of respondents support doubling the existing railway line. Respondents particularly wanted greater safety on trains and in stations, faster connections between Merano and Bolzano, as well as more frequent services. More than three-quarters of motorists were also in favour of improvements. Citizens want the line to be expanded to deliver better connections, faster, and more reliable services, as the existing rail connection is no longer competitive or attractive. The expansion to a double track between Bolzano-Bivio and Merano-Maia Bassa, and the construction of a new station in Sinigo, are planned with the aim of reducing travel times and increasing the frequency of trains. According to current estimates, approximately 25 hectares of land are required for the second track. “The western half of South Tyrol also has the right to be connected efficiently and reliably, and as quickly as possible. By constructing the second track along the Bolzano – Merano railway, the long-awaited opportunity will be created to make the railway competitive in this part of the province as the backbone of public mobility. A second track will allow new, faster, and more frequent connections between the two largest centres of the province,” Daniel Alfreider said. The current railway line from Bolzano to Merano was opened in 1881 and was originally an efficient connection service to the emerging spa town of Merano. Today, the line needs to be modernised and expanded by constructing a second track to ensure reliable and attractive rail transport for the entire western part of the Province of Bolzano. With an upgraded and expanded rail line, more train connections can be offered than is currently the case. At present, there are two trains per hour in each direction between Bolzano and Merano. In the future, this frequency will be doubled, with four trains operating in each direction. Additionally, the new tracks will allow a direct train to cover the distance between Bolzano and Merano in 26 minutes, reduced from the current 38 minutes. Together with other railway projects currently underway in other parts of South Tyrol, including the Val Venosta railway electrification and the Virgolo railway tunnel construction in Bolzano, the conditions will be created for the “Alto Adige Cadenzamento” (South Tyrol Scheduling), a regular timetable with better coordinated journeys. The Alto Adige Cadenzamento will guarantee connections every 30 minutes on all railway lines in South Tyrol. Trains will arrive at the crossing stations before the connection time every hour and half hour and depart after the connection time, which will allow efficient transfers in all directions. A focus was placed on the province’s timetable model. During the meeting, it was explained that the time indicated in the timetable not only includes the journey itself but also stops and waiting times. “It is important to understand the difference between the pure travel time and the time indicated in the timetable. What matters most to passengers is better, faster, and more reliable connections. This is the goal of the expansion, and it is essential if we want to make public transport more attractive,” said Joachim Dejaco, the General Manager of Strutture Trasporto Alto Adige (the Mobility Department of the South Tyrolean state administration). |
