A9 expansion starts: traffic safety and quality of life in focus!

A9 expansion starts: traffic safety and quality of life in focus!

Mobility Minister Peter Hanke and the Styrian state government presented a comprehensive project for the further development of the A9 Pyhrn Autobahn in the southern economic area of ​​Graz this day, September 27, 2025. This project is transferred to the planning phase and focuses on improving traffic safety and the quality of life of the residents. Hanke emphasizes that, despite the investment in the rail infrastructure, road traffic continues to increase. Without targeted measures, there is a risk of increased traffic jams and alternative traffic to the surrounding towns, which requires urgent intervention.

The plans aim to take into account both the mobility needs of the population and the requirements for environmental protection. ASFINAG is commissioned to carry out further project planning and elaboration. The project is currently in an early planning phase and, after completion of the planning, is presented to the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) for a comprehensive examination, such as [OTS] (https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250927_ots0011/ausbau-der-a-stei-in-in-die-weberfahren- Transportproofliche-Safe-Safe-Life-Quality-IM-FOKUS) reports.

Traffic infrastructure and congestion problem

The A9 Pyhrn Autobahn extends over 230 km, starting at the knot pre -Alpine cross (A1) to the border crossing. Current traffic news shows that the motorway is often affected by traffic jams, especially between Traboch and Kalwang, where a time loss of 15 minutes and a traffic jam length of 9.8 km was recently reported. Such traffic jams illustrate the need for strategic expansion. This information comes from Stumelter-Map.

The A9 offers a decisive connection between Upper Austria and Slovenia, and is therefore an essential traffic artery in the Austrian road network. The last renovation work and the construction of a second tunnel tube are already being planned. The highway also plays an important role in the economic connection, which is crucial for the growth and prosperity of the region. The construction of the last section was completed in 2004, and numerous tunnel systems, such as the plabut tunnel, have so far been known as the focus of accidents.

Economic importance of expansion

A well -developed transport infrastructure is decisive for economic growth and prosperity. Improved accessibility not only promote regional development, but also reduce the existing differences between federal states. The intended expansion of the A9 is intended to strengthen the competitiveness of the Austria business location and is part of a comprehensive package of infrastructure projects, which also includes road and rail infrastructure as well as other modes of transport, as on the website of the Bmimi.

The upcoming measures for the further development of the A9 could not only contribute to reducing current traffic problems, but also increasing the quality of life of the people living in the area in the long term. The focus is clearly on sustainable and adaptive traffic planning in harmony with the needs of the region.