Brettfall construction site

Zillertal: fear that collapse will become a daily occurrence

There is already constant congestion in front of the tunnel portal, with block processing often in place.

(Bild: Birbaumer Christof, Krone KREATIV)

The general renovation of the Brettfall Tunnel starts on April 8th with detour and temporary total closures until 2026. Will there be constant chaos in the Zillertal? All the details were revealed at an information event in Strass.

"It's not going to be fun," said Strass mayor Karl Eberharter, summing up the mood. Around 200 participants listened to the plans for the renovation of the 30-year-old gateway to the valley in the local festival hall on Wednesday evening.

The mood? More fatalistic than aggressive. "We'll just have to get through it," was the tenor.

Around 200 participants came to the information event in Strass.

(Bild: Birbaumer Christof)

19,000 vehicles on average in 24 hours
"We are using low-traffic times for the construction work, and unfortunately there are no longer many of them," said LHStv. Josef Geisler (ÖVP), not wanting to sugarcoat the impact. On average, 19,000 vehicles per 24 hours use the entrance to the valley with its 38,000 inhabitants and around 50,000 guest beds.

There will be a burden on local residents. But there is no alternative if the tunnel is to remain fully functional.

LHStv. Josef Geisler

Bild: Birbaumer Christof

Out of the valley through the Strasser settlement area
From April 8 to June 21, there will be a first glimpse of whether the collapse will become a bitter daily routine. In the valley, traffic will remain in the 1.3-kilometre-long tunnel; out of the valley, it will go through the residential area (Astholz district) to the B171 Tyrolean federal road. Driving bans will be imposed on secondary roads - except for local residents. Similar to winter Saturdays, traffic posts are deployed.

Experts explained the detour during the construction phases on display boards.

(Bild: Birbaumer Christof)

Night closure and total closure in the fall
Both lanes of the tunnel will be available again in summer. This fall will be exciting again: from September 16 to 27, the Brettfall Tunnel will be closed at night and from October 7 to 12, it will be completely closed. No other option is possible for a few weeks, the experts emphasize. And at the information evening, they invited residents to play a question-and-answer game on various display boards.

After 30 years, the entire interior is being replaced
What work is actually planned? "Everything will be new - the cables, the fans, the computer technology, the emergency call niches, the inner shell, the road surface," said Alexander Zecha (Head of Road Maintenance at the Province of Tyrol), outlining the mammoth task. "The new panels on the side walls will then be easier to clean," said project manager Simon Stöckl, highlighting a positive long-term effect.

We have now benefited from the tunnel for 30 years, now three tough years are coming. I appeal to you to avoid as many journeys as possible.

Karl Eberharter, Bürgermeister von Strass im Zillertal

Bild: Birbaumer Christof

13.5 million euros planned for renovation
According to the current cost plan, 13.5 million euros are to be invested in the Brettfall Tunnel. The exact construction schedule with closures in 2025 and 2026 has not yet been determined. To provide relief for commuters, VVT, the state and the planning association are working on a free service during the total closures.