General renovation

The Arlberg tunnel is closed until the end of November

The first stage of the general renovation was already completed last year, and now the construction machinery will once again be moving into the Arlberg road tunnel. For this reason, the connection between Tyrol and Vorarlberg will be closed from Monday, April 15 until November 22.

While the first construction phase was mainly carried out on the Tyrolean side, from Monday the focus will be on renewing the concrete roadway on the Vorarlberg side. In addition, the tunnel coating and drainage system will be improved and the St. Jakob toll booth will be rebuilt. The total costs of the general refurbishment amount to around 75 million euros, plus 30 million euros for the new toll booth.

On Monday, the construction machinery will start up again in the Arlberg tunnel.

(Bild: Asfinag)

The tunnel, which opened in December 1978, has already been closed for months at a time in recent years: in 2015 and 2017, the tunnel technology was upgraded and general work was carried out, while the first major general refurbishment since it opened is now scheduled for 2023 and 2024. In view of the fourth closure in just a few years, Asfinag Managing Director Andreas Fromm is aware of the strain on everyone involved: "However, we have made sure that we keep the necessary renovations as short as possible after 50 years in operation."

This is what the new road surface will look like.

(Bild: Asfinag)

As far as the detour is concerned, the tried-and-tested concept is being used: the Arlberg Pass is virtually unavoidable as a regional alternative route, but trucks are only allowed to use the pass for incoming and outgoing traffic; all others must take a wide detour. The general rule for all road users is to avoid the Arlberg Pass if possible. On peak days last year, up to 20,000 vehicles crossed the Arlberg - "a lot of patience and concentration are required," warns Fromm.