STRABAG receives € 110 million order for equipping the Karawanken Tunnel

Overcoming borders – this applies not only to people and ideas but also to infrastructure. Where Alpine massifs seem insurmountable, modern engineering creates new connections. The Karawanken Tunnel is an impressive example of how technology enables mobility and brings countries closer together.

As a transalpine transport link from Austria to Slovenia, the Karawanken Tunnel is one of the most important transport infrastructure projects in both countries, with 4.5 km on Austrian territory and 3.5 km on Slovenian territory. Following a Europe-wide tender, STRABAG was able to win the major contract for the operational and safety tunnel equipment with a total sum of € 110 million (packages 1 & 2). STRABAG Infrastructure & Safety Solutions, or SISS for short, will carry out this major order.

Equipment with operating and safety facilities and systems

The new tunnel tube, which is 8 km long, will be equipped with operating and safety systems by the end of 2025. Among other things, 2,570 tunnel lights, 378 video cameras and around 1,300 km of power and control cables will be installed in the tunnel tubes.

The entire lighting, ventilation, fire monitoring, extinguishing water systems, traffic lights, escape route marking, video surveillance, equipment of the operating stations, sensors, power supply and the connection to the monitoring centres of ASiINAG and the Slovenian DARS will be implemented.

Project progress

The Austrian section of the newly built Karawanken Tunnel has already been completed in terms of construction. Work on the safety system began at the end of 2024 on the Austrian side, while the constructional completion on the Slovenian side has been ongoing since the beginning of the year. At the end of 2025, ASFiNAG expects the new tunnel tube to be opened in two-way traffic.

After a structural renovation of the existing tunnel tube, which will be completed by mid-2027, the electrical and mechanical equipment will continue to be installed in the existing tube. The Karawanken Tunnel is expected to be fully completed and operated in one-direction traffic by the end of 2028.