Brenner Motorway: Massive construction site will cause endless traffic jams until 2030!

Brenner Motorway: Massive construction site will cause endless traffic jams until 2030!

The renovation of the Lueg Bridge on the Brenner Motorway (A13) has led to a noticeable increase in traffic volume and frequent traffic jams. The major construction site, which began in March 2025, is expected to last until 2030. On many days the Luegbrücke is only accessible in one lane, although temporary two-lane traffic routes are set up on around 180 days a year. During construction work, a speed limit of 60 km/h applies in the construction site area. Heavy traffic over 3.5 tonnes will be directed to the left lane to relieve pressure on the bridge, while car traffic can use the right lane as long as trucks avoid it.

In addition, scales in the road record the weight of the vehicles; If the weight exceeds 3.5 tonnes, it will be rejected. In addition, 14 additional truck driving ban days apply to vehicles over 7.5 tonnes heading south, so that a total of 36 driving ban days have been set for this road user in this direction. Exit closures on the A13 are planned at weekends and public holidays in order to reduce evasive traffic. Seven barrier systems will be installed on low-level roads, while metering traffic lights will regulate traffic on the Brenner Federal Road (B182).

Additional traffic control measures

As part of the renovation project, ASFINAG created a master plan for the local road network in order to better manage the construction period. This plan includes four key measures that were developed in close consultation with the police. The first measure includes driving bans on the low-level road network, which apply daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from January 1st to February 28th, 2025. These bans are aimed at transit traffic towards Italy and Germany and affect several municipalities, including Ampass, Tulfes and Patsch.

The second measure envisages the commissioning of five additional dosing lights on the B182 from January 1, 2025. These traffic lights work automatically based on traffic numbers and are set up at strategic locations to optimize traffic flow. In addition, public transport in the Wipptal is being expanded. This includes five extended trains daily from Steinach to Brenner as well as 33 transfer-free connections per day between Innsbruck and Brenner every half hour.

Perspectives and future developments

Travelers are advised to travel early in the morning or on less busy weekdays to avoid traffic jams. Alternatives to the Brenner motorway are the Gotthard, San Bernardino, Tauern motorways and Felbertauernstrasse. However, it is not recommended to choose the routes via Timmelsjoch and Stallersattel. It is also planned that the Europa Bridge will be demolished and rebuilt from 2040, with a construction period of four years.

Statistics from 2022 show that the Brenner Motorway is one of the main routes through the Alps. This year, 16.58 million cars and 2.73 million trucks were counted across the Brenner Pass. The ongoing construction work and associated restrictions will continue to pose significant challenges for travelers and the local population.

For further information about the construction site and the traffic control measures, you can read the report from ADAC and the details ASFINAG see.