TRANSPORTS FROM AUSTRIA

widespread infestation of bark beetles.

To mitigate further damage, an unprecedented deforestation effort is underway. However, the local sawmills in South Tyrol are struggling to cope with the immense volume of timber, which reached a staggering five million cubic metres last year alone.

Consequently, the timber needs to be transported to external sawmills for processing. Rail transport is the ideal solution in this case, but the closure of the Bolzano railway station has prevented any rail transports from taking place in the region.

Through a collaborative effort involving the Rail Traction Company (RTC), Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), Rail Cargo Group (RCG), the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol, and the City of Bolzano, the Bolzano freight station has been revived, and the railway tracks have been restored within a few months.

The inaugural journey of the first timber train has been completed, traveling from South Tyrol through the Brenner Pass to North Tyrol. Going forward, multiple transports consisting of 17 wagons per train will be conducted several times a week using this sustainable rail transportation system. Future plans also include utilizing other border crossings such as Tarvisio to Austria.

This logistical solution eliminates the need for over 100 truck journeys per week that were previously required to transport timber through the Brenner Pass.

Not only does this significantly benefit the environment, but it also reduces transit traffic and alleviates the burden on local residents.

This successful implementation serves as a prime example of how a flexible rail solution can be realized within a relatively short timeframe when all partners collaborate across national borders.