The example of the Koralmbahn has already clearly shown that a site is essentially determined by its infrastructure. Reducing the travel time between Klagenfurt and Graz increases personal mobility and thus increases the catchment area of ​​workers available on a site. “I like to compare this once-in-a-century project with the Öresund Bridge, which also brought two regions closer together. “This ultimately resulted in a highly developed common economic space,” explains Stefan Stolitzka, making a relevant comparison with the bridge that has connected Sweden and Denmark since 2000 and which provided an economic boost.

“Infrastructure projects like this Koralm Tunnel or even this one Semmering Base Tunnel and the new Bosruck tunnel, which we must build by 2040, will decide whether we will be at the center or on the margins of economic development,” says Stolitzka, who calls for additional efforts. Thanks to railway development, Styria and Carinthia will become a central interface in the European logistics network.

With the Koralmbahn, the economic zones in the heart of Europe are optimally connected from west to east and from north to south. These are turntables Graz Freight Center (CCG) and that Logistics center Austria South (LCA South) near Villach. Logistics capabilities allow companies to access global markets and are particularly essential for Carinthia and Styria, both of which have high export quotas.

Also read: Cargo Center Graz expands: 10 hectares of handling area for empty and full containers.

For Franz Glanz, Director General of the CCG, the continued expansion of the Transport routes hence the agenda. “The current situation of running freight trains via Neumarkter-Sattel or via a “third country, Slovenia”, in practice leads to enormous competitive disadvantages compared to trucks – which is why they take advantage of it. transport of goods for international purposes until the Koralmtunnel is completed,” reports Glanz. Julia Feinig-Freunschlag, Managing Director of LCA Süd, emphasizes that policies must ensure the optimal interaction of different types of transport and also places emphasis on climate protection: “Goods must be transported by road, train, boat or air.

In times of pandemic, traffic even increases and transport must operate quickly and reliably. Industrial companies, for example, transport the raw materials they need from Asia, preferably by sea, then overland by truck or train. For the last mile – from the cargo terminal to the customer – the truck is the most important mode of transport. THE Aim However, the transport and logistics sector must make this so-called transport more climate-friendly, for example by using electric or hydrogen-powered transport vehicles.