Massive traffic disruptions on the Reschen Pass: construction site until 2026!

Massive traffic disruptions on the Reschen Pass: construction site until 2026!

The Reschenpass road (B180) between Pfunds and Nauders has recently become fully accessible again, although traffic disruptions are still expected. Traffic will be directed by a two-way one-way system between the Kajetans Bridge and the lower Finstermünz Tunnel until November 30, 2023. The use of traffic lights is intended to help regulate traffic flows during peak times, but traffic jams and longer waiting times are very likely. These traffic disruptions are the result of construction work to create a rockfall gallery, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026, resulting in a total of more than two years of ongoing restrictions. ADAC reports that The rockfall gallery is necessary due to rock fall from the steep terrain above the road.

In order to offer drivers alternative routes, a bypass option via Switzerland has been set up. This leads from the Kajetansbrücke over Engadiner Straße (B184) and Martinsbrucker Straße (B185) to Nauders. The detour is approximately 6.6 kilometers and adds 15 to 20 minutes to the journey time. Please note that trucks, vehicles with trailers over 6.5 meters and buses over 13 meters are not allowed to use the bypass route. Motorhomes, however, are allowed to use the alternative route; Caravans are only permitted if the trailers are up to 6.5 meters long. Vehicles over 3.5 tons must pay a heavy goods tax of 5 euros per trip in Switzerland.

Long-term construction work and restrictions

The construction work on the Reschen Pass will lead to massive traffic disruptions until the end of 2026, especially on the Tyrolean side. This construction work is particularly relevant because the Reschen Pass serves as an alternative route for the Brenner Motorway A13, which will be renovated from 2025. Alpentourer informs that The construction of a 400 meter long rockfall gallery near Altfinstermünz is underway to increase safety on the B180.

The road between Nauders and Pfunds will be closed again and again in the coming years. A significant full closure is planned from October 8th to December 19th, 2024, while the route is expected to remain passable around the German holiday on October 3rd, 2024. For the 2024/2025 winter season, two-lane traffic on the federal highway is planned, followed by further closure phases that will take place in spring 2025. The route will then be accessible as a single lane with traffic lights until around September 2026.

There have been incidents of rock falls on the B180 in the past. In 2024, a public bus was hit by a boulder. There was also a four-week closure in 2019 following a rock fall, and in 2022 a cubic meter rock fell onto the road without any injuries, although this also resulted in longer restrictions.

Current information on construction work and traffic conditions is available on the passes portal.