BRENNER PASS (European Route E45, Austria to Italy)

[Leo]

BRENNER PASS (European Route E45, Austria to Italy)

The Brenner Pass runs north-south and connects Austria to Italy. Innsbruck and the Tyrol lie to the north and Bolzano and Verona to the south. The border is near the highest point. This pass is one of the obvious routes from the UK to the Dolomites, Lake Garda, Venice, the Adriatic coast, and Trieste and beyond.

At about 4,500 feet, the Brenner is one of the lowest alpine passes and is always open – even in winter. This is fortunate as there is no alternative tunnel.

There are two key roads through the pass. The E45 motorway (comprising the A13 Austrian Autobahn and the Italian A22 Autostrada) and the ordinary main road; route B182 in Austria and route SS12 in Italy. The E45 motorway carries a lot of traffic – for example, 1.8million trucks in 2004.

The Austrian Side (About 37 Kms Innsbruck to Brenner)
The valley leading to the pass is narrow, and the ordinary road, the railway and the river occupy the floor leaving little space for an Autobahn. The solution was to build the Autobahn high up on the valley side. At one point the A13 Autobahn crosses from one side of the valley to the other over the spectacular Europa Bridge – 820 metres long and nearly 200 metres above the valley floor. There is a small service area at the southern end of the bridge with limited parking. It is possible to walk onto the bridge from here to admire the view. Much of the rest of the Autobahn is on stilts.

A toll (Maut) is charged for travel on the Brenner Autobahn. The toll section begins at Innsbruck Süd and continues to the Italian border at Brenner. The toll for a car in 2005 was €8.00 There are several junctions connecting with the parallel 182 main road.

The ordinary road B182 twists and turns and passes through villages. It is very much slower and probably less scenic than the Autobahn. Travelling south towards Italy, often there are retaining walls immediately on the right-hand side of the road (ie no footway or verge) so in a RHD UK car there is virtually no forward vision on right-hand bends. There are few overtaking opportunities so inevitably one gets trapped in a tedious queue behind a slow truck, bus, coach or caravan. There are several filling stations along the route. Fill up! Austrian petrol is usually cheaper than Italian.

There is a third option for travel between Innsbruck and Brenner. The Elbögen road is a minor road, somewhere between a UK “B” road and a country lane. It passes through the villages of Pfons, Patsch and Igls on the eastern side of the valley. It runs high up on the valley side and affords fabulous views. Highly recommended if time permits.

The Italian Side (About 61 Kms Brennero to Bolzano)
The valley here is often broader and shallower than on the Austrian side so the A22 Autostrada is built more at ground level although there are still significant bridge sections. Junctions are further apart here than on the Austrian side. In Italy virtually all Autostrada travel is liable to a toll. For example the charge for car from Brennero to Bolzano in 2005 was €4.60

When returning to Austria, the Austrian Vignette - which is required to use the Autobahn beyond Innsbruck Süd, may be bought at the Italian service areas. In summer, at least, there are often queues.

The ordinary road SS12 on this side of the pass is more like a UK “A” road. Reasonable progress can be made – the road is not particularly bendy and is comparatively lightly used, apart from near the town of Brixen/Bressanone. Most Italians use the Autostrade!

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[coasterjunkie]

At one point the A13 Autobahn crosses from one side of the valley to the other over the spectacular Europa Bridge – 820 metres long and nearly 200 metres above the valley floor. There is a small service area at the southern end of the bridge with limited parking. It is possible to walk onto the bridge from here to admire the view. Much of the rest of the Autobahn is on stilts.

I travelled this way last summer, and agree that the Europabrucke is spectacular. The view from the middle of the bridge is great - if a touch frightening - as it is HIGH . Also, when you're stood there the surface shakes every time a truck goes past - which is about every two seconds.

Another memory is the road curving to the left on a high viaduct, giving a great view of the section further up the valley, as it snakes it's way up, perched for mile after mile on stilts. My overriding thought is how roads such as this can be built in such a scenic area as the Alps, with the associated engineering challenges and high cost, whilst we often have so much trouble building a much-needed bypass for a traffic-blighted village over four miles of flat farmland!

Andy

[wibble]

BRENNER PASS (European Route E45, Austria to Italy)

The Brenner Pass runs north-south and connects Austria to Italy. Innsbruck and the Tyrol lie to the north and Bolzano and Verona to the south. The border is near the highest point. This pass is one of the obvious routes from the UK to the Dolomites, Lake Garda, Venice, the Adriatic coast, and Trieste and beyond.

Try to avoid this route on Friday and Sunday evenings in the summer when what seems like the entire population of southern Germany are travelling to and from Lake Garda!

Just one tip, make sure you aren't the one driving, as you won't be able to look at the view so easily! Also, try to count the number of castles and the mountain sides along the route - it will keep you busy!

For more info see here or here (though not much Brenner Pass specific at the last one).