The Importance of Exercising Caution on the Roadways
The Brenner (A13) and Tauern (A10) motorways in Austria, key routes for holiday travel to Italy, are set to undergo significant construction and infrastructure projects that will impact traffic conditions well into the 2040s. Here's an overview of the expected traffic issues and construction works on these routes.
Brenner Motorway (A13) and Brenner Corridor
The Brenner Base Tunnel, one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe, is under construction and will run under the Alps between Austria and Italy. Although primarily a rail project, construction activities related to the tunnel and connected infrastructure can impact traffic on the motorway and border crossings during this period. The construction is expected to continue until around 2032-2035.
The Brenner motorway itself is undergoing upgrades to increase capacity and safety. This includes widening sections, improving interchanges, and enhancing border control facilities. These works are planned in phases over the next two decades.
Due to heavy freight and tourist traffic, especially in summer holidays, peak congestion is common. Construction works can exacerbate this, causing delays and necessitating traffic management and diversions periodically until all improvements are completed. Long-term measures to reduce pollution and control heavy vehicle flow may also impact travel time and restrictions beyond the 2030s.
Tauern Motorway (A10)
The Tauern Tunnel, used to cross the High Tauern range, is subject to continuous maintenance and safety upgrades. These works may cause lane closures or temporary traffic stops. Infrastructure upgrades, including ramp improvements and lane widening in some sections, may also be carried out over the coming decades.
Given its geography and importance for north-south traffic, bottlenecks often occur during holiday periods. Construction works can add to delays locally. Heavy goods vehicles also face restrictions or specific schedules for crossing the tunnels to improve safety and reduce congestion.
General Impacts on Holiday Travel to Italy Until 2040s
Travelers should anticipate intermittent but significant traffic issues linked to ongoing large-scale infrastructure projects up into the 2040s, with the most intensive construction phases occurring over the next one to two decades.
During peak travel seasons, especially in summer, periodic construction-related traffic disruptions can be expected. Increased travel times and possible rerouting during major works phases are also likely. Long-term improvements aiming to streamline traffic flow, reduce pollution, and enhance safety will take years to fully realize.
Authorities recommend travelers to check traffic updates, plan for delays, and possibly consider alternative routes or travel times.
Currently, construction work is underway at the Golling Tunnel on the Tauern motorway, with expected completion by summer 2025. Comprehensive renovations on the Tauern and Katschberg tunnels on the Tauern motorway will begin in autumn 2027 and last until 2033, restricting traffic to one lane per direction for years. Numerous other bridges on the Brenner motorway, such as the Europabrücke and the Gschnitztalbrücke, need renovation in the coming decades, with an end to these construction works not expected until at least 2044. Holiday periods like Easter and Pentecost could be particularly critical for travel on the Tauern motorway due to the renovations on the tunnel sections between Salzburg and Villach.
The construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel, affecting both motorway traffic and border crossings, will impact travelers until around 2032-2035. The subsequent upgrades to the Brenner Motorway will be carried out in phases over the next two decades, potentially causing travel delays and necessitating traffic management and diversions, especially during peak holiday seasons.
On the Tauern Motorway, ongoing maintenance, safety upgrades, and infrastructure projects may result in lane closures or temporary traffic stops. Renovations on various tunnels and bridges will continue until at least 2044, necessitating travelers to anticipate intermittent but significant traffic issues on this route as well, particularly during holiday periods like Easter and Pentecost.
