Opening the doors to Engineering

Brenner, 26 September 2026

FS Engineering played a leading role in the first-ever public opening of the RFI “Forch” construction site, located on the Fortezza-Ponte Gardena section of the Southern Access to the Brenner Base Tunnel. The initiative offered a unique opportunity for the public to gain insight into one of Europe’s most strategic infrastructure projects and to appreciate the technical, human, and territorial value behind its delivery.

As part of the Open Day organised by RFI and BBT, the FS Engineering Construction Management team for Lot 1 of the Fortezza-Verona Railway Line Quadrupling Project welcomed visitors and illustrated the activities currently under way, guiding citizens, families, and railway enthusiasts through the project and its key features.

The initiative attracted an exceptional turnout: approximately 2,000 people visited the construction site, while more than 1,800 walked through the first 100 metres of the access tunnel leading to the railway tunnel currently under construction, gaining close-up access to a project that is normally restricted to engineers and construction professionals.

Throughout the visit, FS Engineering professionals shared with participants the main characteristics of the project, the engineering challenges addressed on a daily basis, and the strategic importance of the Southern Access to the Brenner Base Tunnel within the Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor, one of Europe’s most significant rail routes for both passenger and freight transport.

The event was much more than a simple site visit. It provided a valuable opportunity for knowledge and skills sharing, fostering direct dialogue between those who design and build infrastructure and the communities that will benefit from it. Opening construction sites to the public helps promote technical and engineering culture, engage younger generations, and raise awareness of the role that public infrastructure plays in the sustainable development of local territories.

The strong public interest demonstrated throughout the day confirms the importance of maintaining an open dialogue with local communities by sharing the objectives, benefits, and complexities of major infrastructure projects. The high level of participation reflects growing interest in projects capable of transforming European mobility and creating long-term value for communities.

Through initiatives such as this, FS Engineering reaffirms its commitment not only to delivering the infrastructure of the future, but also to enhancing human capital and spreading technical know-how, helping to leave a lasting legacy of expertise, knowledge, and innovation in the territories where it operates.