A Nighmarish Gridlock on the Tauernautobahn from Salzburg to Bavaria
Getting Stuck in Traffic
Gridlock extends for 45 kilometers along the southbound route.
Traffic on a vital Austrian transit artery for German vacationers has ground to a halt. This chaotic situation unfolded on the Tauernautobahn (A10) heading south, as revealed by Ö3 radio. The traffic congestion stretched across the German border, into Bavaria.
Holidaymakers faced extended journeys by around five hours due to a bottleneck created by a tunnel construction site at Golling in the Salzburg region. The construction site had reduced a 14-kilometer stretch to a single lane which is causing the bottleneck, contributing to the prolonged travel times [1][4].
More Than Just a Holiday Rush
Elsewhere, there were also prolonged delays in Tyrol, with regions like Innsbruck, the Brenner Motorway towards Italy, and the Fernpass road being affected [3][5]. Over the Pfingsten holiday period, the ADAC had warned of "exceptional traffic congestion". With similar conditions expected on Whitsun Monday, it's likely that Germany's motorways and federal roads, as well as those in Switzerland and Austria on traditional holiday routes, will be busier than ever [1].
Traveling on Further Notice
The Automobile Club suggests Pfingstsonntag (Whitsun Sunday) as the optimal day for road trips during this unfavorable weekend. It might also be possible to navigate the motorways and federal roads again later on Saturday afternoon [1]. However, Tuesday after the long weekend is not recommended for long car journeys; in Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia, the 10th of June is a public holiday, causing many short holidaymakers to travel home [1].
Coping Strategies for Holiday Jams
To manage the extensive delays, vacationers might contemplate various alternatives:- Avoid Peak Travel Times: Traveling early in the morning or late in the evening can help minimize significant traffic.- Alternative Routes: Opt for routes that circumvent the Tauernautobahn or take less crowded roads through smaller towns.- Longer Travel Time: Allow extra travel time to account for potential delays and consider booking overnight accommodations along the route to avoid exhaustion.- Monitor Traffic Updates: Keep track of live traffic reports and road conditions to adjust travel plans accordingly. [1][3][5]
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft transportation plans for the upcoming holiday season, considering the current bottlenecks caused by travel and lifestyle factors, such as traffic on the Tauernautobahn and the increased use of cars during vacation periods.
Lifestyle choices, including travel arrangements, may need to be reassessed to accommodate long delays and potential congestion on the roads, such as planning trips during off-peak hours or opting for alternative routes to avoid the already congested Tauernautobahn.
