South Tyrol approves funding and plans for Bolzano–Jenesien cable car

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 Approves Funding and Updated Plan for Bolzano–Jenesien Cable Car; Separate Virgolo Design by Snøhetta Not Part of This Funding Decision

What happened: The provincial government has approved updated technical plans and financing for a new Bolzano–Jenesien (Jenesien) cable car, moving the project into a planning-and-implementation phase under the region’s transport company. The decision clears the way for construction funding in the 2026 fiscal year and sets out key design and operational parameters for the new link between Bolzano and San Genesio.

Key funding and schedule

The total project budget is estimated at about €39.7 million. Of that, roughly €31.5 million is earmarked for construction work and around €8.2 million for administrative costs. A national recovery fund will provide €37.5 million for construction in the 2026 fiscal year, while the remaining approx. €2.2 million will be covered by regional development and state funds.

Who will deliver it

The in-house transport company STA‑Südtiroler Transportstrukturen AG has been commissioned to carry out planning and oversee the build. The provincial mobility authority advanced the plan for governmental approval and emphasized improving sustainable, fast and convenient mobility for residents and visitors.

Technical highlights and user features

• System type: bicable aerial tramway between the existing valley location in Bolzano and San Genesio (Jenesien).
• Cabins: two cabins, each designed to carry about 45 people.
• Maximum throughput: approximately 350 passengers per hour.
• Route: runs through the municipalities of Bolzano and San Genesio, supported by three towers planned along the line.
• Stations: the valley station building will be shifted roughly four metres closer to the road; the previously planned mid-station has been removed.
• Intermodal access: plans call for an intermodal hub at the valley station to link pedestrians, cyclists and bus passengers and to connect to a new 60-space parking lot.
• Bicycle facilities: covered and secure parking for bicycles and e-bikes at valley and mountain stations; access to secure areas will require a South Tyrol Pass.

Policy and purpose

The project is part of the province’s Provincial Plan for Sustainable Mobility (LPNM 2035). Officials list improved links to footpaths and cycle paths and better connections for multiple transport modes as central goals. The planned intermodal hub and secure bike parking are aimed at increasing the appeal of the system for daily commuters and tourists alike.

On-site status

Local authorities carried out on-site inspections at the mountain station in winter 2025 as part of the planning review process. With government approval in place and funding reserved for 2026, the project has entered a clearer implementation phase.

Separate proposal: Virgolo (Virgl) cliff cable proposal by an international design practice

Alongside the Bolzano–Jenesien public project, an architectural design by an international practice has been reported for a distinct Virgolo (Virgl) cliff cable-car scheme near Bolzano. This proposal emerged from a competition and is a privately led scheme distinct from the provincially funded Jenesien project. Important design and program points reported for that Virgolo proposal include the following:

• Concept: two ring-like structural frames — one at the lower site and one at the summit — embedded into the landscape and linked by a short, steep cable transit.
• Travel time: reported to be about 1 minute and 11 seconds from base to summit in concept images and descriptions.
• Cabins: one reported description shows 16 small cars carrying eight passengers each; other published descriptions of different local projects use different cabin counts and capacities, so reported figures vary by source.
• Summit program: a multi-use top complex is shown with a café, an infinity pool, meeting rooms, a 120-seat restaurant, and a large open-air “Mountain Square” intended for events such as markets and concerts.
• Materials and appearance: the rings are described as being clad with local stone or marble to link the structure to its setting and to provide panoramic 360-degree views.
• Possible expansion: concepts also outline a potential second leg to reach higher viewpoints in the future.

Important distinction and inconsistencies to note

The Jenesien cable car and the Virgolo design are separate: the first is a provincially backed transport project with committed funding and a clear administrative lead; the second is a competition-winning architectural proposal driven by private development interests and design teams. Published descriptions of the Virgolo design contain varied technical numbers and projected completion dates from different reports; these differences reflect multiple reporting sources and are not indications of changes within the public Jenesien project. In short, the approved funding and technical update apply to the Bolzano–Jenesien tramway, not the privately proposed Virgolo ring scheme.

What comes next

With technical specifications approved and the bulk of project funding allocated for the 2026 fiscal year, the public Bolzano–Jenesien cable car moves into detailed planning and procurement phases under the regional transport company. Further approvals, tender documents and construction scheduling will follow as planning is finalized and contractors are engaged.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Table: Key Features at a Glance

Item	Jenesien (Public Project)	Virgolo (Design Proposal)
Project lead	Regional transport company (STA)	Private developer and design team
Funding	€39.7M total; €37.5M from national recovery fund (2026)	Privately financed concept (competition winning proposal)
System type	Bicable aerial tramway	Ring-supported short cable transit with multiple small cars
Passenger capacity (reported)	Two cabins ~45 people each; ~350 pph	Reported options: 16 cars × 8 passengers (reports vary)
Notable features	Intermodal hub, secure bike parking, improved access links	Summit plaza, restaurant, infinity pool, marble-clad rings

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