Traveling through the Alps towards Italy will be a significant challenge in 2026. Intensive construction work on the Brenner Pass, specifically on key sections of the A13 motorway, is significantly affecting traffic flow. Infrastructure modernization, aimed at ensuring safety for decades to come, involves numerous lane reductions and changes in traffic organization. If you plan to travel this route, you must prepare for additional travel time.

Regardless of the renovations, the toll rules remain unchanged. To avoid wasting extra time in traffic jams at the toll booths, it's worth settling payments in advance. All necessary vignettes for Austria and special section tolls, such as the Brenner, can be bought quickly and securely at winiety24.eu.

Main bottleneck: Renovation of the Lueg Bridge (Luegbrücke)

The largest construction project, causing the most disruptions, is the general renovation of the Lueg Bridge. This is the longest bridge structure on the entire A13 route, located near Gries am Brenner. Due to the poor technical condition of the structure, the road operator (ASFINAG) had to introduce restrictions that will last for the coming months.

What should drivers prepare for?

• Single-lane traffic: During the most intensive work periods, traffic in both directions often runs on only one lane, which generates multi-kilometer traffic jams during high traffic volumes.
• Restrictions for trucks: Vehicles over 3.5 tons are subject to strict weight controls and traffic separation, further slowing down passenger car traffic.
• Night closures: Selected works require a complete halt to traffic during night hours.

Construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel (BBT)

Construction work on the Brenner Pass is not only about road renovations but also a gigantic railway investment – the Brenner Base Tunnel. Although most of the work takes place deep underground, the accompanying infrastructure on the surface around Innsbruck and the state border itself may cause periodic changes in the organization of access roads to the motorway.

Traveler's alert: Due to tunnel work, increased construction vehicle traffic may occur on local roads, which many drivers treat as an alternative to the toll A13. By choosing side roads, you might get stuck in an even bigger traffic jam.

How to avoid the biggest disruptions?

Effectively avoiding traffic jams on the Brenner requires good planning. Here are some proven methods:

1. Choose night or early morning hours: The heaviest traffic occurs between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, especially on weekends (ski and holiday changeover days).
2. Use Videomaut: Don't add to your waiting time at the toll booth. Online license plate registration allows you to pass through the green lane without stopping. You can arrange the digital toll for Brenner at winiety24.eu.
3. Check live cameras: The ASFINAG website offers live camera views of the A13 route. Check the situation on the bridges before leaving your hotel.

Digital vignette and renovations – is anything changing?

Road renovations do not exempt drivers from the obligation to have valid tolls. Moreover, in 2026, electronic controls are even more stringent. Remember that access to the toll A13 motorway from Germany (via the A12) requires a standard vignette. If your journey is short, the optimal choice will be a 1-day vignette, which is valid immediately after purchase.

FAQ – Construction work on the Brenner Pass 2026