A new underground funicular is under construction in the Grödnertal (Val Gardena) in Südtirol (Alto Adige). It will connect the lower end of the Col Raiser aerial cableway (on the north side of the valley) with Rucia on the south side, at the lower end of the Saslong world cup ski run (where also an aerial cableway leads upwards). By now the ski areas are connected by busses. It will be a classical funicular with two cars and a siding in the middle of the 1246 m long line. Operating speed will be 10 m/s (36 km/h). Each car can transport 140 persons, yielding a total capacity of 2000 persons per hour in each direction. Opening is planned for christmas 2004.
This is a close-up onto the information board at the lower end of the tunnel. It tells which companies are doing the work and who is responsible for what.

Digital photo by Christoph Schmitz (christoph.schmitz2@post.rwth-aachen.de)