The opening of the Brenner Base Tunnel could be delayed another two years, to 2034. This is according to the Tiroler Tageszeitung, which also reports that the overall cost of the project has climbed to €10.5 billion, which includes the risk prevention charges mandated by Austrian law. Construction on the enormous infrastructure project began 17 years ago, and nearly 90% of the 230 kilometers of tunnels, including main, secondary, and exploratory sections, have been excavated so far. Nevertheless, the Austrian newspaper reports that the process of awarding contracts for the tunnel's railway apparatus, which is estimated to be worth €1.5 billion, is still progressing slowly. Furthermore, various areas of infrastructure management need to be resolved, necessitating agreement between RFI and OEBB. It is imperative that the testing and experimental operation phase be allocated a minimum of one year; only after this period can the tunnel be made operational.