Wooden frame on the road

Linz’s Waldeggstraße blocked by climate activists

Nothing was possible from the junction of Waldeggstraße and Ziegeleistraße

(Bild: Extinction Rebellion Österreich)

For some, a justified protest action against a completely outdated transport policy and for the survival of the planet, for others another annoying hurdle in the already exhausting Monday morning traffic. Numerous traffic jams and delays were the result. 

Morning traffic on the B 139, or more precisely the section of Waldeggstraße between Westbrücke and Kärntnerstraße, is normally rather slow. On Monday, however, it was particularly bad: environmental activists from Extinction Rebellion Austria blocked the road into the city, causing waiting times, traffic jams and delays in early morning traffic in order to demonstrate against the planned A 26, the continuation of the Westring project. Once completed, this is set to double the volume of traffic in the city. 

Protest against the A 26
To this end, they erected a large wooden frame on the carriageway, which one person climbed onto, while others stopped the traffic in front of it with banners. "Austria's transport sector has by far the most critical emission levels. To avoid fines, health risks and the harshest consequences of the climate crisis, it is high time to stop the billion-dollar A26," says Extinction Rebellion.

Blockade the right means?
FPÖ city councillor Michael Raml counters: "Protecting our nature is a legitimate concern. However, road blockades are simply intolerable and do nothing to help. On the contrary, cars parked with their engines running and their exhaust fumes harm the environment. Climate stickers must therefore accept the accusation of being polluters," criticizes the city councillor the disruptive action in Linz's early morning traffic.