The Brenner motorway in Austria is currently shuttered in the southbound direction, causing widespread travel disruptions and traffic congestion along the crucial route connecting Germany and Italy. The closure, prompted by intense snowfall accumulating up to 40 centimeters in a brief span, has impeded vehicular movement and led to a gridlock on the snow-laden lanes.
Brenner Motorway Southbound Closed
The Brenner motorway in Austria is currently closed in the southbound direction. According to the operator, 40 centimeters of snow fell within a short period of time – despite a ban on overtaking, trucks became stuck on all lanes.
Due to heavy snowfall, the Austrian Brenner motorway heading south between Innsbruck and the Brenner Pass has been closed. The duration of the closure of this important traffic route from Germany to Italy has not been announced by the highway operator Asfinag yet.
Around 40 centimeters of snow fell within a short period of time, and snowfall continued persistently. Despite driving and overtaking bans, trucks used multiple lanes of the motorway and got stuck in the snow. Snowplows also blocked
Travelers have been advised to take alternative routes or postpone their journeys. Spokesperson Alexander Holzedl informed ORF, “We are trying to clear the situation as quickly as possible. However, we are facing severe snowfall, and it will take some time before our specialized company can remove the vehicles from the motorway.” More than 20 snowplows and tow trucks are operational on the motorway. The stuck trucks have not only obstructed other vehicles but also snowplows. There are practically continuous traffic jams, also extending from the Brenner towards Innsbruck.