📋 Tender Overview
In order to examine the status of implementation from its preliminary report from 2017 the Court of Auditors examined the Galleria di Base del Brennero - Brenner Base Tunnel BBT SE the Italian-Austrian project company that was involved in the project implementation of the 9.3 billion . heavy tunnel project between Innsbruck and Franzenfeste Italy. The 56 km long project is intended to enable freight and passenger trains to travel underground between Italy and Austria in the Brenner Base Tunnel. The project is part of the European high-speed rail network and is co-financed by the EU.In its audit the Court of Auditors came to the conclusion that BBT SE implemented only around three quarters of its 15 recommendations in the 2015 to 2019 audit period. The points not implemented included the recommended annual submission of the financial plans to the Supervisory Board. The annual cost forecasts recommended by the RH were also not submitted by BBT SE.Delays in the construction program which primarily resulted from the different positions of the Italian and Austrian railways on the subject of railway equipment as well as the resulting risk of postponing the planned commissioning of the section from originally 2026 to 2030 were also criticized.The Court of Auditors positively noted that BBT SE achieved a reduction in the planned shell construction costs of around 0.6 billion. At the same time however he criticized that no risk analysis was carried out for 2018 and 2019 and that contrary to the recommendations in the area of equipment costs no cost reductions were achieved.In its recommendations the Court of Auditors therefore urges the shareholders to reach an agreement quickly on the subject of railway equipment in order to avoid further delays and possible additional costs. He also recommends new regulations for long-term financial planning to ensure transparency and predictability regarding the use of public funds for the entire duration of the project.In the discussion in the committee the feared delays their consequences and the lack of agreement among stakeholders were discussed. Committee chairman Hoyos-Trautmannsdorf NEOS for example asked Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler why no agreement could be reached on such a project of the century the implementation of which is in the interests of all countries involved. In the committee the President of the Court of Auditors Margit Kraker again pointed out the lack of agreement in the area of railway equipment between Austria and Italy.Environment Minister Gewessler referred to the corresponding complexity that such a project of the century entails. There are many interests to consider. Although there is already a basic consensus among shareholders in a number of areas there are still different positions especially with regard to traffic forecasts. However it was a success that all three countries - Germany Austria and Italy - were brought to the table and a joint traffic forecast was commissioned. The cooperation with the new Italian mobility minister which has already got off to a very positive start is also very promising according to Gewessler. She also assured that the management of BBT SE was urged to take a number of measures to cushion the impact on the schedule.The GREEN MP Hermann Weratschnig and the SP MP Melanie Erasim wanted to know whether the feared delays will also have financial effects and whether these mean additional costs for Austrian taxpayers. Apart from any valorisation costs no cost-increasing effect is expected according to Gewessler. In a further round of questions the Greens also discussed whether the delays would have an impact on any funding quotas or on funding already provided by the EU. Gewessler calmed down at this point. All existing funding commitments by the EU would be adapted in terms of time and would remain in place there would be no risk of default. The President of the Court of Auditors Margit Kraker also joined Gewessler. Since this is the largest EU co-financed transport project.
