The main construction phase of the Feldkirch City Tunnel (Stadttunnel Feldkirch) in western Austria has commenced, marked by a traditional tunnel ceremony on 6 March 2026.
The project is being delivered on behalf of the Land Vorarlberg, with the principal tunnelling works awarded to a consortium of Jäger Bau GmbH, STRABAG AG and Hilti & Jehle GmbH (Austria). Additional contracts have been awarded for associated works, including portal construction and separate tunnel lots.
Project Overview
The Feldkirch City Tunnel is a major underground road infrastructure scheme designed to divert through-traffic away from the historic city centre. The project comprises a complex multi-branch tunnel system with a total underground length of approximately 3.95km.
Key elements include:
- Four tunnel branches: Tisis, Felsenau, Tosters and Altstadt
- A central underground roundabout cavern (approximately 70m diameter)
- Portal structures and cut-and-cover sections
- Conversion of exploratory adits into escape and service tunnels
- Ventilation and operational infrastructure
Tunnelling Works
The tunnels are being constructed using drill-and-blast methods (NATM) in varying geological conditions. Individual tunnel lengths include:
- Tisis: ~1.6km
- Felsenau: ~0.9km
- Tosters: ~0.9km
- Altstadt: ~0.3km
Excavation of the main tunnel system began in March 2026 and is scheduled to continue until autumn 2028. Works are being carried out within an urban environment, requiring careful staging and coordination with existing infrastructure.
Programme and Contracts
The project has progressed through multiple phases:
- Autumn 2019 – Start of preparatory works
- 19 July 2022 – Approval of first construction phase
- December 2024 – Approval of second phase and award of main construction contracts
- February 2025 – Commencement of main construction works
- 6 March 2026 – Official start of main tunnelling works
The main construction contract is valued at approximately €213.8 million, with additional packages including a reported €185 million tunnel lot and a €5.9 million portal contract.
Completion of civil works is expected to be followed by installation and commissioning activities in 2029, with the tunnel scheduled to open to traffic in 2030.
Current Status
With excavation now underway, the project has entered its most intensive phase of underground construction. The works will deliver a new subsurface road network intended to significantly reduce traffic volumes in Feldkirch city centre while improving regional connectivity across Vorarlberg.
Further information is available at:
https://www.stadttunnel-feldkirch.at/aktuelles/faktenchecker and also in the tunnelbuilder archive please click at/90. 11/26.
