Construction Begins on Tiroler Lueg Bridge Amid Protests

The official commencement of construction for the Lueg Bridge, located on the Tiroler Brennerautobahn (A13), has taken place, marking a significant step in the bridge's much-needed renewal and major restoration. The initial phase of the project is expected to see the completion of the first bridge structure by 2027, with the entire project slated for completion by 2030.

In conjunction with the construction announcement, the mayor of Gries am Brenner, who has been advocating for a tunnel solution, has expressed intentions to submit a proposal for a multi-hour demonstration on the autobahn in response to the ongoing situation. The planned protest is set to occur near the Matrei am Brenner exit, and the mayor aims to submit the request to the Innsbruck District Administration shortly.

This is not the first time the mayor has sought to mobilize public sentiment against the bridge project; a similar protest was attempted in the autumn of 2024 but was denied permission due to concerns about significant traffic disruptions. The authorities had cited the potential impact on travel along the busy Brenner route as a primary reason for the denial, particularly given that the demonstration was proposed for a Saturday afternoon. The mayor intends to address the procedural shortcomings from the previous attempt by submitting the application with a longer lead time--eight weeks in advance, as opposed to the four weeks previously provided.

The traffic situation on the Lueg Bridge has already been regulated since January, with most vehicles being directed to use a single lane in both directions. However, there will be two lanes available for about 180 days throughout the year, which has helped mitigate fears of severe traffic congestion on this heavily trafficked route thus far.

The scope of the construction work is extensive, requiring substantial materials including 62,000 cubic meters of concrete, 9,500 tons of steel, 64,000 square meters of asphalt, and 10,000 tons of reinforcement. The direct costs associated with the construction are estimated at around 217 million euros, while the total project budget is approximately 380 million euros. The contract for the bridge renewal has been awarded to the construction firms Strabag and Porr.

The first bridge structure is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2027, at which point two lanes per direction will be operational again. Full completion of the bridge is expected by 2030. The Lueg Bridge, which spans 1.8 kilometers and was originally constructed in the 1960s, has been deemed by the autobahn operator Asfinag to be at the end of its service life and in urgent need of renovation. The decision for its renewal followed years of political and legal discussions, with the Ministry of Transport, Asfinag, and the state government ultimately opting for the bridge reconstruction, despite opposition from local critics who have advocated for a tunnel solution.