ÖBB has begun the first phase of reconstruction at Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, paving the way for a complete renewal of the station area. The works follow an agreement reached last month between ÖBB, the Province of Tyrol and the City of Innsbruck. The project is driven by rising rail demand, the future commissioning of the Brenner Base Tunnel and the need to replace infrastructure that has reached the end of its technical life.
As part of the core north–south axis of the TEN-T Scandinavian–Mediterranean Corridor, Innsbruck is a critical junction for both passenger and freight flows. The rebuild is designed to ensure that the hub can accommodate future international growth while supporting the modal shift goals tied to the Brenner corridor.
Before new tracks and platforms can be built, ÖBB must clear space in the central “Mittelinsel” area situated between the main passenger station and the freight yard. This zone currently contains loading tracks, ramps, warehouses and operating buildings, all of which will be dismantled to create assembly and logistics space for the upcoming construction phases.
Maintaining uninterrupted rail operations is viewed as essential. Even as the freight-side infrastructure is demolished and rearranged, ÖBB aims to keep all passenger services — as well as any rail replacement buses — running smoothly at Tyrol’s most important transport hub.
Once demolition is completed at the end of 2026, construction will begin on new station tracks and significantly wider platforms. A new platform with two edges is also planned, providing additional capacity in response to sustained growth in regional and long-distance traffic. According to ÖBB, the main structural works are expected to run into the mid-2030s.
KEY FIGURES
- Demolition phase: Oct 2025 – end of 2026
- 2,000 m² loading ramp removals
- 11,100 m² building demolition
- 700 m track removal + one turnout
- Freight zone: “Mittelinsel” cleared for logistics base
