Brenner North Approach Munich–Innsbruck completes preliminary planning

The Brenner North Approach Route is the planned new rail line between Munich (Trudering) and the German-Austrian border near Kiefersfelden/Schaftenau, forming the northern approach to the Brenner Base Tunnel toward Innsbruck, split into six planning sections (incl. Trudering–Grafing, Grafing–Ostermünchen, Kirnstein–border–Schaftenau). DB InfraGO has completed preliminary planning, the scoping procedure concluded in November 2025, and parliamentary deliberations in the Bundestag are currently underway; the EU-co-financed project is being jointly realized by DB AG and ÖBB Infra. Per the project list a completion by 2040 is envisaged, though the project website does not yet specify a concrete cost figure or opening date. Update (5 Aug 2026): On 10 July 2026 the Federal Transport Ministry sent the Bundestag President the results of early public participation and the report by the ministry and the Federal Railway Authority; parliamentary deliberation thus begins, and the Bundestag decides on how the project proceeds. According to the government's briefing (21/7165), the project comprises block densification Munich-Trudering–Grafing and a two-track new line from Grafing via Rosenheim and Kiefersfelden to the German-Austrian border for 230 km/h; total costs are almost EUR 11.4 billion (including risks with a probability above 50%), the benefit-cost ratio is 1.4 (assessment of 2025), and EU funding from the CEF is planned. The Federal Railway Authority considers DB InfraGO's preferred route the most sensible; core demands from the region were not met, such as moving or dropping the Kirnstein junction, without which the new and existing lines would be unconnected over about 55 km. (LOK Report, 10 Jul and 5 Aug 2026)