Austria’s Tyrolean authorities have announced extraordinary driving bans for heavy-goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on the A12 Inntal, A13 Brenner and A14 Rheintal/Walgau motorways from 07:00-22:00 on Friday 2 October and 00:00-15:00 on Saturday 3 October. The restrictions target south-bound traffic heading into Italy during repair works on the Lueg bridge and north-bound flows linked to Germany’s Unity Day public holiday. Italian logistics groups warn that the measures—coming on top of existing Tyrol night bans and sectoral driving prohibitions—will choke one of Europe’s busiest freight arteries at the start of the pre-Christmas peak. According to transport association ANITA, as many as 3,000 Italian trucks use the Brenner corridor daily; diversion via the Tarvisio or Mont Blanc routes adds 150-200 km and up to four hours’ transit time. While perishable food, livestock, postal shipments and fuel deliveries enjoy limited exemptions, most just-in-time industrial cargoes will have to reschedule. Forwarders are urging shippers to load earlier in the week and to explore intermodal rail options: slots are still available on the Verona-Wörgl rolling motorway, though capacity is tightening. The fresh bans also rekindle the long-running dispute between Rome and Innsbruck over Tyrol’s unilateral traffic caps. Italian Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini reiterated calls for EU infringement proceedings, arguing that the cumulative restrictions breach the principle of free movement of goods. Brussels has so far limited itself to “facilitated dialogue” between the two member states. Companies moving goods or project equipment across the Alps should map contingency routes, book rail wagons early and alert clients to possible delivery roll-overs into the week of 5 October. Drivers caught in violation face fines of up to €5,000 and may be ordered to park until the ban lifts.
Source: eTransport.pl / Trafficban
