Danger of traffic jams at the Pfändetunnel: How to cope with holiday traffic!

Danger of traffic jams at the Pfändetunnel: How to cope with holiday traffic!

The situation on the Rhine Valley Autobahn A14, especially at the Pfändentunnel, is unexpectedly causing heavy traffic today. It will be particularly challenging for commuters and travelers between Lochau and Bregenz, as this route represents a central west-east connection in Austria. According to the latest reports from Travel Reporter Traffic jams and delays are inevitable, especially during holiday months and at weekends.

The A14 stretches for around 64 kilometers and connects the Hörbranz border crossing in Germany to Bludenz, a popular destination for trips to the Bregenzerwald or Montafon. Freight traffic between Bavaria and the Lake Constance area also contributes to the high traffic load, especially on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings when many travelers return from their excursions.

Traffic situation in detail

The Pfändetunnel, which has two tubes with two lanes each and was opened in 1980, has established itself as a critical point in transit traffic. It is not only popular with holidaymakers, but also with commuters traveling between Vorarlberg and southern Germany. Stress for drivers is inevitable during peak hours between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Construction sites and border controls can also hinder traffic, added Traffic jam card.

Current construction sites include, among other things, a renovation of the eastern tube, which is scheduled for 2026, as well as changed traffic routing at the Bregenz junction. Drivers should also expect backlogs due to adjacent construction sites on the A96 near Lindau.

Alternatives and toll information

There are a few alternatives to avoid traffic. However, the bypass via the B190 in Bregenz is only recommended to a limited extent. If you want to avoid traffic jams, you can drive early in the morning or late in the evening, or simply use public transport such as the train or ferry between Lindau and Bregenz. By the way, since December 2019 there is no requirement for a vignette between Hörbranz and Hohenems. From Hohenems, however, a normal car vignette is required - the GO-Box is mandatory for trucks and buses.

So it's anything but calm on the A14! If you keep an eye on the current conditions and plan your trips well, you may be able to avoid one or two traffic jams and get to your destination with less stress.

The country's traffic statistics also provide information about the movements of people and goods in the transport network, which is important for future planning of transport solutions. The “Traffic Statistics 2023” sheds light on developments in freight transport and provides important information for decisions in politics and business. The passenger flows on scheduled and occasional services are also documented there, which further anchors the current traffic situation and illustrates how important a well-planned infrastructure is to ultimately ensure mobility. Further information can be found on the website of Statistics Austria.