Tauern tunnel blocking: traffic chaos in the Alps

Tauern tunnel blocking: traffic chaos in the Alps

In a significant message for commuters and travelers who use the Tauern route in Austria, it was announced that the Tauern tunnel between Salzburg and Villach, which is over 100 years old, is closed for comprehensive general renovation. From November 18, 2024 to July 2025, people have to prepare for significant restrictions in travel. This affects not only local residents, but also vacationers who want to visit the region.

The blocking of the Tauern tunnel has far -reaching effects. Travel times will increase drastically, and many train connections, especially those between Munich and Italy, will not be available during this time. Train travelers have to switch to replacement buses that operate the route from Mallnitz to Bad Gastein. However, this bus ride will increase to almost three hours instead of the original eleven minutes.

necessary renovation work in Austria

The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) described the closure as "inevitable" in order to carry out the urgently needed renovation work. In addition to the tunnel, several train stations are also modernized and infrastructure work on viaducts, passages and noise barriers are carried out. These measures are part of a larger plan to improve the entire rail connection through the Alps and should increase the quality of the travel experiences in the long term.

For the commuters from the region, the situation is an enormous challenge. Mayor Günter Novak from Mallnitz pointed out that around 70 employees of the course institutions and the hospital in Schwarzach are affected by the changes. In order to facilitate commuting traffic, accommodations for those affected were organized, which reduces the need for only one return trip every week. Some commuters prefer to work in the home office or have sought jobs near their places.

preparations and additional measures

In order to meet the needs of cyclists who use the popular Alpe-Adria cycle path, a bike shuttle between Mallnitz and Bad Gastein will be set up from April 11th. This service costs ten euros per trip and can transport up to 35 bicycles.

The renovation of the Tauern route does not only have an impact on rail traffic. Drivers also have to adjust to possible traffic jams. The A10 Tauern motorway is also expected to be affected by traffic disruptions, since several tunnels in this region will be renovated by June 2025. In addition, the state of Tyrol extends the departure bans on the Brenner motorway, which continues to complicate the travel planning.

The general renovation of the Tauern tunnel will not be the only time that the tunnel is closed. In 2027, there will be a closure of about five months again, which makes further travel impairments for holidaymakers and residents expect. These ongoing work are crucial to modernize the transport infrastructure in the region and to meet the security standards. more details In a detailed report on www.suedwest24.de .