Karawanks Tunnel (railway)

[1] Despite the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which had been a driving force for its construction, the line and tunnel alike continued to be a well-trafficked route largely used by freight trains travelling between Austria and Slovenia.

During the twenty-first century, the Karawanks Tunnel underwent extensive modernisation, being rationalised from a twin-track layout to a single track to comply with modern safety standards.

It was of considerable strategic importance, being that it was Austria's first seaport and thus naturally became the principal outlet for overseas trading by the Austro-Hungarian Empire; however, its effectiveness was undermined by the lack of an adequate railway communication with the Austrian interior.

This line, the Karawanken Railway, was built over and through the Karawanks, Europe's longest (120 km/70 mi) mountain range; the route presently crosses the border between Austria and Slovenia.

[4] In 2015, Austria and Slovenia, along with their respective railway infrastructure operating companies, signed an agreement for the renovation and improvement of the Karawanks Tunnel.

[10] Perhaps most noticeable amongst the changes to be made shall be the reduction of the original twin-track arrangement to a single track configuration; the resulting space freed up is to be reused as an emergency rescue passage, improving safety throughout the tunnel.

These changes include the installation of a ceiling busbar, drainage renewal, a new floor, as well as the partial renovation of the tunnel vault via the addition of new anchors, reinforcement measures and concrete.