Austria’s key north-south freight artery through Tyrol will face significant restrictions later this month. The motoring club ÖAMTC confirmed that from 12–15 and again from 19–22 October 2026 only one lane per direction will remain open on the A13 Luegbrücke while resurfacing works are carried out. To prevent congestion and protect local communities, the province will impose a night-time driving ban on heavy-goods vehicles over 3.5 t between 21:00 and 05:00 on the A12 Inntal- and A13 Brenner-motorways. Police checkpoints at Kufstein, Pettnau, Matrei-Steinach and Brenner-Nord will turn back non-exempt trucks and coaches. The Luegbrücke has been operating with reduced capacity since January 2025 after structural surveys revealed urgent safety concerns. While a long-term replacement bridge is under construction (completion planned 2030), authorities have adopted a dynamic traffic management calendar that occasionally allows two lanes. The forthcoming resurfacing is needed to keep the ageing structure serviceable through the coming winter. Businesses that rely on the Brenner route—Europe’s busiest alpine crossing—should expect longer transit times, possible queues on feeder roads and higher haulage prices. Forwarders are advised to pre-book time slots via ASFINAG, re-route via Switzerland’s Gotthard or Germany’s Tauern corridors where feasible, and alert customers to potential delays. For passenger mobility, buses will be rerouted overnight via the B182 Brennerstraße; private motorists should budget extra travel time and heed the Section-Control speed enforcement newly activated over the bridge. The Tirol regional government is also deploying dosed traffic lights and local road bans to deter diversion through village streets. From a compliance standpoint, exporters should document that any late deliveries are linked to officially mandated closures, and drivers must carry proof of exemption (e.g., live-animal or perishable-goods certificates) to avoid fines at checkpoints.
Source: ÖAMTC
