📋 Tender Overview
Bregenz VLK - With the expansion of the Wolfurt container terminal, the digitalization of customs clearance and targeted measures to improve the transport infrastructure, the state of Vorarlberg, together with the responsible partners, is taking important steps to strengthen the economic and logistics location. The aim is to handle freight transport more efficiently, to further promote the shift to rail and at the same time to noticeably relieve the burden on the population along the affected transport axes.
An efficient transport infrastructure is an essential prerequisite for a strong business location. At the same time, where traffic arises, we must keep the burden on the population as low as possible. We are pursuing precisely these goals with the measures now underway, emphasize State Governor Christof Bitschi and State Councilor for Economic Affairs Marco Tittler. Expansion of the Wolfurt container terminal The Wolfurt container terminal is the most important transshipment point for combined freight transport in Vorarlberg and is of central importance far beyond the state borders. OBB-Infrastructure AG is therefore planning a gradual expansion of the terminal. By 2029, additional remote control stations will be set up, a third gantry crane will be put into operation and modern video gates will be installed. This means that rail and truck handling can be significantly accelerated and capacity can be increased in the first expansion stage. In a further expansion stage from the beginning of the 2030s, four additional tracks and two more gantry cranes are planned. This will almost double the capacity of the terminal. The expansion of the terminal strengthens combined transport and creates the conditions to process even more goods efficiently by rail. Both our economy and the environment benefit from this, explains State Councilor Marco Tittler. Digitalization ensures noticeable traffic relief. In parallel to the expansion of the goods terminal, the digitalization of customs clearance is currently being implemented. With the Smart Border Austria project, the previous paper-based clearance processes are being replaced by digital procedures. The necessary renovation work at the border customs offices is already underway. After the pilot operation in Feldkirch-Tisis, the Hochst, Mader, Meiningen and Hohenems locations will be put into digital operation by the end of August. The Lustenau border customs office will follow in September. This digitalization brings multiple benefits. Processes will become simpler and faster, our companies will benefit from shorter waiting times and at the same time we expect a significant relief in the traffic situation around the Wolfurt freight station and the Dornbirn North roundabout, said Bitschi. Currently, an average of around 600 trucks drive to the Wolfurt customs office every day. This number should be significantly reduced after the implementation of digital customs processing. Forward-looking infrastructure development In addition to digitalization and the expansion of the freight terminal, the necessary road infrastructure measures are also being pushed forward. Among other things, the plan is to convert the Dornbirn North roundabout into a more efficient intersection with traffic lights. At the same time, the state continues to advocate for the rapid expansion of the Wolfurt-Lauterach semi-connection to a full connection. If you want to control traffic intelligently and eliminate bottlenecks, you have to develop infrastructure in a timely manner. Our goal is to improve the flow of traffic and at the same time sustainably increase the quality of life of people in the affected regions, emphasizes Bitschi. Further strengthening rail freight transport Another focus is on shifting freight transport from road to rail. The state is working with industry on a target for rail freight transport, which is to be developed in the second half of 2026. Transporting and loading companies in particular are closely involved. Our goal is modern, efficient and sustainable freight transport. This requires efficient terminals, modern customs processes, well-developed roads and, at the same time, attractive framework conditions for rail freight transport. Only with this overall package can we ensure the competitiveness of our business location and at the same time relieve the burden on the population, State Governor Christof Bitschi and State Councilor Marco Tittler conclude.
