Tauern tunnel blocking: Chaos while traveling for commuters and vacationers

Tauern tunnel blocking: Chaos while traveling for commuters and vacationers

The trip from Germany to Austria will be more difficult in the coming months, since the Tauern tunnel, a central traffic artery through the Alps, is closed to comprehensive renovation. From November 18, 2024 to July 2025, this 113-year-old tunnel will remain closed, which will have a significant impact on passenger and freight traffic.

The Tauern route from Salzburg to Villach is not only important for the train, but also for many commuters and travelers. The tunnel is the heart of this connection and when the renovation is created, several train stations and bridges along the route are modernized. The ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) indicate that a rail replacement traffic is set up during the lock to ensure the mobility of travelers.

extensive renovation work is about to In addition to the Tauern tunnel,

In addition to the Tauern tunnel, the Bad Gastein, Bad Hofgastein and Dorfgastein train stations are also to be brought up to date. In addition, important infrastructure projects such as noise barriers and viaducts are renewed. The renovation will not only affect rail traffic from and to Italy, but also the individual car traffic, since the diversions and replacement traffic bring considerable time losses for travelers.

For commuters who use the car backstep between Mallnitz and Böckstein, the travel time will increase drastically. What is usually to be mastered in 11 minutes will now take up to three hours. The mayors of Mallnitz, Günter Novak, reports that solutions have already been found to cushion the additional burden. For example, accommodations for commuters who work in the local spa institutions or the hospital were organized.

long -term effects and additional renovations

The current situation will not only lead to major challenges for residents, but also for tourists. Above all, the popular Alpe-Adria cycle path will be affected by the rail replacement traffic. From April 11th, a wheel shuttle between Mallnitz and Bad Gastein will be offered to offer cyclists a way to avoid the blocked sections. The price for this is ten euros per trip.

The current renovation is only the beginning. In 2027, travelers must again expect the Tauern tunnel to be closed, which will continue for another five months. Extensive renovation work will also be planned in Germany in the next few years, which means that both German-Austrian commuters and holidaymakers will have to expect longer travel times in the future.

The construction sites on the A10 Tauern Autobahn additionally tighten the already tense traffic situation. Five tunnels are being renovated at the same time, so that further traffic disruptions can be expected on the highway. Despite the complications, ÖBB emphasized that the renovation work is necessary to improve security and service for travelers in the long term. This decision could, such as in a report at www.merkur.de to read , not only temporary disorders, but also long-term improvements in the rail and street infrastructure.