Highway-blockade: Is the Brenner dispute escalating?!

Between Austria and Germany - as well as between Austria and Italy - there are always disagreements and strained relations when it comes to the transit dispute around the Brenner. Tyrol and the rest of Austria can no longer keep the dense commercial traffic under control and often erect roadblocks and driving bans as a defensive measure. Which ultimately only exacerbate the situation and consequently lead to disruptions in the flow of traffic - both at the Bavarian and South Tyrolean borders. A compromise or a solution that goes beyond a purely short-term measure does not seem to be found at all among the politicians of the three countries.  

This is precisely why the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), from the right-wing corner of the Austrian parliament, is proposing a rather radical measure. At a press conference the other day, FPÖ leader Markus Abwerzger urged his own provincial government to take a harder line on the Brenner issue. In an emergency, Abwerzger said, there was nothing else to do but "shut down the Brenner". This emergency would then be reached, the party explains, if the "EU does not wake up" - and unsuccessfully leads to no reduction in truck traffic. For example, the "sectoral driving ban" active so far would have failed to create a manageable traffic situation on Tyrolean roads in the future as well. 

How such a decision would itself affect the traffic network of the Alpine Republic - if not the entire continent - was not further examined at that moment. From a legal point of view, however, the FPÖ had already examined the measure. A motorway blockade would be difficult, but not legally impossible. However, a blockade of traffic - whether it only affected lorry drivers or also private individuals - would only work if sufficient alternative routes could be made available. Apart from other pass roads, a railway line is the most likely option. It could connect the three countries with passenger and goods trains and thus enable the necessary freight traffic without blocking the Brenner and other secondary roads. 

Such a construction project would certainly break through the Brenner dispute and at the same time bring additional benefits. A reduced level of traffic on the roads and thus considerably fewer internal combustion vehicles on the road would make a significant contribution to climate protection. Only the less polluting vehicles would then be able to drive on the roads - without forgetting to comply with possibly stricter environmental zone regulations in the meantime. Finally, besides ensuring a manageable transport network, reducing vehicle emissions is one of the main objectives of the countries concerned.  

However, a well-developed commercial railway line for the Brenner Pass is still far from being a reality. In the meantime, politicians are supposed to focus on other measures. That the FPÖ's proposal will be accepted is nevertheless considered unlikely. A complete closure of the A13 Brenner motorway is not to be expected so far. More likely is the tightening of the environmental zone rules, so that these could be extended not only to lorries but also to cars and buses, in order to significantly reduce vehicle density.