by Florian König, maut1.de - 20 March 2024
According to current plans, the Luegbrücke near Gries on the Brenner motorway, which is already 55 years old and in serious need of renovation, will only be open to single-lane traffic from 2025. This is due to the necessary renovation work and the poor condition of the bridge, which was actually already due to be replaced by a major new construction (planned construction period from 2024 to 2030).
However, these plans have been postponed indefinitely due to a complaint from the neighbouring community of Gries. During the construction work for the further renovation, there will also be all-day lorry driving bans at certain times to avoid massive traffic jams on particularly busy days.
History of the Luegbrücke
The Luegbrücke is located in the Wipptal valley at an altitude of approx. 1300 m and at 1804 m is the longest bridge on the Austrian Brenner motorway A 13. It was named after the nearby village of Lueg in the valley below the bridge and was built between 1966 and 1968 on behalf of Brenner Autobahn AG (now ASFINAG).
The bridge was extensively renovated in 2002 and the coupling joints between the concrete elements were renovated and the bridge bearings replaced between 2012 and 2014. Due to the advanced age of the bridge and the need for extensive refurbishment, plans for a complete replacement were made in 2019.
Inspection of the condition of the Luegbrücke from 3 to approx. 30 April 2024
From 3 April until probably 30 April 2024, only one lane of the A13 Brenner motorway will be open to traffic in each direction for the necessary inspections of the current condition of the Luegbrücke.
As part of this inspection by independent bridge construction experts, all bridge components will be examined again in detail and the condition analysed in detail. The results of this inspection will be incorporated into the preparation of the necessary renovation measures and any necessary restrictions on the future passability of the bridge for rolling traffic.
Important for travel planning: From 3 to approx. 12 April 2024, only one lane in the direction of Brenner and from 10 to approx. 30 April 2024 only one lane in the direction of Innsbruck will be available for traffic. Slow-moving traffic or temporary traffic jams on the Brenner motorway with further tailbacks are to be expected.
Safety through future single lane
Due to the advanced age and the already known poor condition of the Luegbrücke, ASFINAG is already assuming that a reduction in the weight load on the bridge caused by transit traffic is essential and will only allow traffic to travel in one lane in both directions from 2025 onwards.
However, in order to take account of the increased volume of traffic, especially at peak travel times, two lanes in each direction will be available for motorbikes, cars and motorhomes on selected days instead of the one lane per direction necessary for safety. This planning will be based on the results of traffic studies already carried out on the Brenner motorway.
However, the future single-lane use of the Luegbrücke is a question of safety without compromise. ASFINAG is working intensively on solutions to prevent the threat of traffic gridlocks.
Working group draws up plans for traffic flow: driving bans for lorries
A working group made up of experts from all the institutions involved, including the province of Tyrol and the Ministry of Climate Protection, is working on the details for managing the expected traffic volume and will present these in the course of 2024.
These measures will presumably also include driving bans for lorries. However, the aim should be to draw up a driving ban calendar for one year in advance in order to ensure a high level of planning security for the transport and commercial companies affected.
Europe-wide information campaign
In order to inform all transit travellers throughout Europe - including truck drivers and holidaymakers - about the future situation on the Brenner motorway in advance and to give them the opportunity to plan ahead, the planned measures will be communicated promptly as part of a Europe-wide campaign.
No new construction of the Luegbrücke bridge for the time being
The start of construction for a new Luegbrücke was actually planned for 2024 and should have been completed by 2030, but was postponed indefinitely due to complaints. This is because a tunnel solution is favoured by the population in the Wipptal valley, through which the bridge runs, as well as the state of Tyrol.
Preparations for the general renovation of the Luegbrücke since 2023
Preparatory work to secure the upcoming renovation work began at the start of 2023. To this end, a service road with comprehensive rockfall protection at the foot of the bridge is to be built by summer 2024.
As most of the area below the Luegbrücke is off-limits for construction work due to falling rocks from the slope, which is up to 50 degrees steep, extensive rockfall protection measures are required in advance. These include the installation of a rockfall protection fence around 1,000 metres long and up to eight metres high directly on the slope, the installation of a roll-off protection fence around 2,000 metres long and the installation of around 5,000 square metres of rock netting.
Effects of the measures under consideration on the transport of goods
The international transport industry expects the planned renovation measures on the important Brenner motorway transit route to cause considerable disruption, such as traffic jams, delayed deliveries or even driving bans, which will further increase the pressure on the logistics sector.
In order to find a balance between repair work, environmental protection concerns and commercial traffic, solutions must be found in good time through coordination with all those affected and proactive planning in order to intelligently redistribute the volume of traffic and prevent serious consequences for international transport.
A possible solution could be to temporarily lift the driving bans in Tyrol in order to make alternative routes available for the duration of the renovation work. This would also ensure a more even distribution of traffic and relieve the Luegbrücke from heavy goods traffic.
Alternatives to the Brenner Pass and traffic jams during roadworks from 2025
To East Tyrol, the Dolomites, the Adriatic: through the Felbertauern Tunnel
The toll Felbertauern Tunnel on the Felbertauern Road (B 108) is 5,313 metres long and connects East Tyrol (Tyrol) with Pinzgau (Salzburg) in winter and leads through the Hohe Tauern.
To Carinthia, Croatia & Slovenia: Via the Grossglockner High Alpine Road
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a toll road and is impassable between the Ferleiten and Heiligenblut toll stations in winter. Snow depths of more than ten metres in winter are not uncommon. The winter closure runs from around the end of October to the beginning of May, depending on the weather conditions, and the road is closed to traffic at night.
Through the Ötztal to South Tyrol: over the Timmelsjoch
The Timmelsjoch is a border pass between Austria and Italy and lies at an altitude of 2474 metres. The toll road is usually open from mid-June to mid-October or early November from 7 am to 8 pm.
Through the Pitztal Valley to South Tyrol: Over the Reschen Pass to South Tyrol
The Reschen Pass is a mountain pass in the Alps, west of the Brenner Pass and east of the Bernina Pass and is crossed by a two-lane road, the B180 on the North Tyrolean side and the SS 40 on the South Tyrolean side. The pass is of regional importance for road transport.
Alternative to the Reschen Pass: Over the Bernina Pass to Lake Como and Lake Iseo
The Bernina Pass is an Alpine pass in the Swiss canton of Graubünden, which connects the Engadin in the north with the Puschlav and the Italian Veltlin in the south at an altitude of 2235 metres. The summit of the pass road lies a little further east at 2328 metres.
To Italy and southern France, Lake Como & Lake Maggiore: over the Maloja Pass
The Maloja Pass is a Swiss Alpine pass at an altitude of 1812 metres that connects the Bergell with the Engadin within the canton of Graubünden and separates the Albula and Bernina Alps.
To Liguria, southern France, the Côte d'Azur: over the San Bernardino Pass
The San Bernardino Pass is a mountain pass in the Swiss canton of Graubünden with a summit height of 2066 metres and connects the valleys of Rheinwald on the northern side and Misox on the southern side.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, it is currently unclear what the long-term future holds for the Luegbrücke on the A13 Brenner motorway. In the short term, renovation of the bridge, which is over 55 years old, is urgently required to ensure its continued safe use in the coming years. Various long-term options (new construction or tunnel) as well as the upcoming, urgently needed renovation are the subject of political and legal disputes between various parties involved.
We can only recommend that you enquire about daily restrictions and roadworks before travelling south and, if necessary, opt for possible alternative routes.
In order to save travel time at least in Italy and to have comfort at the toll stations on the Italian motorways, we recommend our maut1.de Toll box for motorbikes, cars and motorhomes. Simply attach to the windscreen and pass toll stations in extra lanes without stopping.
In any case, we at maut1.de wish you a safe and accident-free journey at all times!
