Closure of the Brenner federal road B182 in Matrei am Brenner during a demonstration due to transit pollution and blockage of the Brenner corridor.Image: keystone
May 30, 2026, 8:19 p.mMay 30, 2026, 8:19 p.m
The closure of the Brenner motorway in the Austrian state of Tyrol has been lifted after a demonstration. “All lanes are open again,” a spokesman for the motorway operator Asfinag told the German Press Agency on Saturday evening.
The Brenner Pass on the border between Austria and Italy had been blocked since the morning due to a protest against the heavy traffic. The highway on the Italian side was also closed during the day because of the demonstration. To the north, the Italian section Vipiteno – Brenner was also reopened to light traffic. The release for trucks was scheduled for 8 p.m.
Heavy traffic is expected, especially on Sunday
The Brenner route is the most important road connection across the Alps. Authorities and traffic clubs feared traffic chaos in Germany because of the closure and the Whitsun holidays. However, there were no traffic jams in Tyrol and on alternative routes for the time being.
However, the Austrian motorists’ club ÖAMTC expects travelers to start their postponed journeys from Saturday evening. Heavy traffic is expected, especially on Sunday.
More than 200 trucks prevented from transit
The authorities in Tyrol drew a positive preliminary assessment of the day of demonstrations and blockades. A total of 219 trucks were turned away from the closed transit route, the police said. (sda/dpa)