Warnings to Italian travelers!
The Brenner Motorway (A13 in Austria and the connecting route in Italy) is a critical north-south axis in Europe, heavily used for transit traffic between Central Europe and Italy. Over the next 20 years, both Austria and Italy have significant construction and upgrade plans focused on capacity expansion, safety improvements, and environmental concerns.
Austria (A13 Brenner Autobahn) Plans
The construction work on the A13 Brenner motorway will be extensive, with several key projects in the pipeline. One of the most significant is the Brenner Base Tunnel Project. Although primarily a rail project, it will significantly impact motorway traffic by shifting freight transport from road to rail, reducing congestion on the A13 motorway. The tunnel is expected to open in the mid-2020s, and associated infrastructure upgrades on the motorway will improve connectivity.
Apart from the tunnel, Austria is planning to upgrade sections of the A13 to improve traffic flow and safety. This includes possible additional lanes in bottleneck areas, updated tunnel systems, and better rest areas. Focus is also on intelligent traffic management systems to handle peak traffic and improve environmental protection.
Sustainability and environmental projects are also a priority. Measures to reduce noise and pollution along the motorway are being considered, along with the installation of electric vehicle charging stations and the promotion of alternative fuels.
Italy (A22 Autostrada del Brennero) Plans
Italy's plans for the A22 Autostrada del Brennero include expansion of capacity, safety and maintenance improvements, integration with rail infrastructure, and sustainable mobility initiatives. Widening sections to 3 lanes in both directions on heavily trafficked intervals is planned, as well as improving junctions and service areas to handle increasing traffic volume.
Tunnel renovations and updated safety measures in line with EU regulations are also part of the plan, along with modernization of toll systems, including wider adoption of electronic toll collection.
Similar to Austria, Italy supports modal shift projects. As freight moves to rail (Brenner Base Tunnel), road infrastructure is planned mainly for passenger and remaining freight traffic, optimizing flow and reducing congestion.
Efforts to minimize environmental impact with noise barriers and air quality monitoring are also being made, along with encouragement of electric and hybrid vehicle use on the motorway.
Impact on Travelers
Construction work is scheduled on the A13 Brenner motorway in Tyrol, Austria, from now until October 2025. The renovation work will result in narrow sections on the motorway, which may impact travel by car for those going from Austria to Italy in the summer. Detours will be necessary due to the construction work, and traffic on the Lueg bridge will be reduced to one lane during the construction. Only on 180 extremely busy travel days will a second lane be opened, alternating between northbound and southbound.
The construction work on the Lueg bridge may cause significant disruptions to traffic flow on the A13 Brenner motorway, leading to longer travel times and traffic jams. South Tyrol vacationers may consider direct flights from BER (Berlin Brandenburg Airport) to Bolzano as an alternative.
In summary, over the next 20 years, both countries will balance upgrading motorway capacity and safety with ecological considerations and the shifting role of freight transport due to the Brenner Base Tunnel. Expect progressive expansion, modernization, and sustainability initiatives, with a major modal shift for freight from road to rail helping reduce traffic pressure on the A13/A22 corridor. If you want detailed timelines or specific project names, let me know!
Travelers navigating the A13 Brenner motorway in the coming years may face changes to their car-maintenance routines, as Austria's construction plans include updates to the motorway's infrastructure, such as improved tunnel systems and intelligent traffic management systems. Furthermore, touring the continent via cars and the A13 lifestyle may be augmented by the potential for increased use of electric vehicles and alternative fuels, as both Austria and Italy’s plans prioritize sustainability and environmental protection.
