TRIESTE – Extraordinary measures are being introduced on the Northeast motorway network due to the effects of the environmental protest scheduled for Saturday, May 30, in Matrei am Brenner, Austria. The closure of the A22 section between Vipiteno and the Brenner Pass northbound, together with restrictions on heavy goods vehicles, will shift a significant share of commercial traffic towards the Tarvisio crossing, with expected repercussions on the A4 Venice-Trieste and the A23.
Autostrade Alto Adriatico has raised the traffic alert from yellow to red for Saturday afternoon, especially on the two-lane section of the A4 between San Donà di Piave and Portogruaro, around the Palmanova junction and along the A23 between Palmanova and Udine Sud.
The main concern is linked to the concentration of traffic after 2 p.m., once the national driving ban for articulated lorries over 7.5 tonnes, in force from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., comes to an end. Although Saturday heavy goods traffic is normally much lower than on weekdays — around 12,000 transits compared with nearly 34,000 on Fridays — the influx of vehicles diverted from the Brenner route could create critical conditions, coinciding with departures for the June 2 long weekend.
For this reason, the motorway operator has activated measures similar to those adopted during the major summer holiday traffic peaks in August: increased operational staff, more information via variable-message signs and the suspension of roadworks across the motorway network. The emergency will be managed in coordination with the other motorway operators under the regional protocol for integrated traffic management in the event of critical conditions on Veneto’s road and motorway network.
At the same time, the Trentino Civil Protection authority has also announced the activation of the provincial operations room to monitor the traffic situation. During the meeting convened by Government Commissioner Isabella Fusiello, director general Stefano Fait urged travellers to avoid journeys towards the Brenner on Saturday, recommending that departures be brought forward or postponed.
In detail, the A22 section between Vipiteno and the Brenner Pass northbound will be closed to cars and motorbikes from 10.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. In Trentino, heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes will also be banned from travelling northbound from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the motorway and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on provincial extra-urban roads.
Exemptions are provided for essential transport, emergency vehicles, law enforcement, Civil Protection, traffic management vehicles and vehicles headed for the RoLa service, provided they are not bound for the pass and have the necessary documentation. Lorries already on the road will be able to stop in the equipped areas identified by Autostrada del Brennero and the traffic police.
Autostrade Alto Adriatico is also urging users to check information before departure through the Infoviaggiando website, the dedicated app, the motorway operator’s portal, the toll-free number 800996099 and its official WhatsApp and Telegram channels.
