Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy, September 11, 2025
News Summary
South Tyrol’s provincial government has approved updated technical plans and funding for a new Bolzano–Jenesien cable car, moving the project into implementation. The €39.7 million scheme — €31.5 million for construction and €8.2 million for administrative costs — will be largely financed by national recovery funds, with regional and state funds covering the remainder. The approved bicable aerial tramway will use two cabins of about 45 passengers each, three support towers and a valley intermodal hub with covered secure bike and e‑bike parking and a new 60‑space car park. A separate Virgolo cliff design won an architectural competition as a distinct proposal.
South Tyrol clears funding and updated plan for Bolzano–Jenesien cable car; separate design for Virgolo cliff by international firm
What happened
The provincial government has approved updated technical plans and financing for a new Bolzano–Jenesien cable car, moving the project into the implementation phase. The region’s planning body has placed the line in its Provincial Plan for Sustainable Mobility (LPNM 2035) and assigned the public company in charge of transport structures to carry out detailed planning and construction work.
Key approvals and money
The government gave the green light to the revised technical specifications on 19 August and approved funding for the project. Total costs are estimated at about €39.7 million. Of that sum, €31.5 million is earmarked for construction and €8.2 million is for administrative and related costs. Most of the money — €37.5 million — is expected to come from national recovery funds allocated for the 2026 fiscal year. The roughly €2.2 million balance will be covered by regional development and state funds.
Project scope and purpose
Officials say the new installation is intended to offer a fast, sustainable and convenient connection between the city and the mountain community, improve access to walking and cycling routes, and create an intermodal hub at the valley station to better link pedestrians, cyclists and bus users. A new 60‑space car park at the valley station is also planned to improve access.
Technical updates
The updated scheme calls for a bicable aerial tramway running from the current valley station in Bolzano up to San Genesio (Jenesien). The configuration now shows two cabins, each able to carry roughly 45 people, and the system’s peak throughput is estimated at around 350 passengers per hour. A planned mid‑station has been removed from the design. The top section of the line will be shifted slightly to improve access, the valley station building will be moved about four metres toward the road, and three towers will support the line.
Active measures for cyclists and pedestrians
Both valley and mountain stations will include covered and secure parking for bicycles and e‑bikes. Access to those secure areas will be controlled via a regional pass system. The project emphasizes good links to footpaths, cycle paths and local bus stops in order to support non‑car travel to the stations.
Timeline and next steps
With planning and funding approved, the transport company named by the province has been commissioned to progress project implementation. Most construction funding is slated to be released in the 2026 fiscal year. Detailed design, permitting and procurement steps will follow before work can begin on site.
Separate Virgolo (Virgl) cliff proposal
Separately, an international architecture practice won a competition for a different cable‑car and viewing complex on Virgolo cliff above the city. That design is mainly an architectural and development proposal rather than the provincial transport project described above.
The proposed design for Virgolo uses two ring or flattened‑sphere structures embedded into the slope: one ring at the base and one at the top. The transport element runs tangentially between the two rings. Reported features include a base station set near the river and a top Mountain Square with a restaurant, bar, event and exhibition space, an infinity pool and paths for visitors. The scheme aims to reopen access to the steep side of the mountain that has been closed since a cliff railway stopped operating in 1976.
Design and capacity differences noted across sources
Reports about the Virgolo concept list short ride times — just over a minute between base and top — and a system made up of small cabins, sometimes cited as 16 cars carrying eight people each. These details differ from the Bolzano–Jenesien tramway plan, which describes two large cabins for about 45 passengers each and a capacity of roughly 350 people per hour. Readers should treat these as distinct projects: one is a provincially backed transport build for Jenesien, while the other is a privately commissioned architectural proposal for Virgolo with a different technical concept and a strong public‑space and tourist focus.
What remains uncertain
The provincial approval covers technical specs and funding commitments, but exact construction start and completion dates are not yet fixed. The Virgolo design has been presented as a competition winner and conceptual plan; its timetable and final technical details remain subject to developer decisions, permits and funding.
Where the lines will run
The approved Jenesien route will pass through the territories of Bolzano and San Genesio and will serve both a valley station in the city and an upper station near San Genesio. The Virgolo proposal occupies a different cliff site and aims at a short, panoramic link from the river edge up the steep slope.
FAQ
How much will the Bolzano–Jenesien cable car cost?
The total estimated cost is about €39.7 million, with approximately €31.5 million for construction and €8.2 million for administrative and related costs.
Where will the funding come from?
About €37.5 million is expected from national recovery funds earmarked for 2026, while the remaining roughly €2.2 million will come from regional development and state funds.
What is the planned capacity and technical type of the Jenesien line?
The updated plan calls for a bicable aerial tramway with two cabins of about 45 people each and a maximum capacity near 350 passengers per hour. A previously planned mid‑station has been dropped.
Will the project include parking and bike facilities?
Yes. Covered and secure bicycle and e‑bike parking are planned at both stations, with access to secure areas controlled via a regional pass. A new 60‑space parking lot at the valley station is also part of the plan.
How is the Virgolo proposal different from the Jenesien project?
The Virgolo proposal is an architectural concept featuring ring‑shaped stations and small cabins for short, scenic trips and a strong public‑space program at the top. The Jenesien project is a provincially approved transport line with larger cabins and different operational objectives. They are separate schemes with different sponsors, technical setups and timelines.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Bolzano–Jenesien (approved plan) | Virgolo (architectural proposal) |
|---|---|---|
| Project status | Provincial approval and funding commitment; planning commissioned | Competition winner and design proposal; developer concept |
| Estimated cost | €39.7 million total (€31.5M construction) | Not set in public funding terms in this brief |
| Primary funding | National recovery funds (majority), ERDF/state funds (balance) | Developer and private funding expected (concept stage) |
| Type of system | Bicable aerial tramway, two large cabins | Ring‑based stations with multiple small cabins (concept) |
| Capacity / cars | ~45 people per cabin; ~350 passengers/hour | Reported concept: 16 cars × 8 people (in some descriptions) |
| Stations & amenities | Valley and mountain stations; intermodal hub; secure bike parking; 60‑space car park | Mountain Square with restaurant, events, infinity pool, viewing platform |
| Notable changes | Mid‑station removed; valley station moved ~4 m toward road; upper route shifted | Ring forms embedded into topography; marble cladding and panoramic intent |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Snow Industry News: Jenesien cable car — financing secured
- Wikipedia: Bolzano
- Architect Magazine: Snøhetta wins cable car competition in Bolzano
- Google Search: Snøhetta Bolzano cable car
- Dezeen: Snøhetta cable car alpine viewing platform
- Google Scholar: Snøhetta Bolzano cable car
- Designboom: Snøhetta & Signa Group Bolzano cable car proposal
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bolzano (search)
- Architectural Digest: Snøhetta cable car in Bolzano
- Google News: Bolzano Jenesien cable car
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