The Italian Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Matteo Salvini (Lega) remains steadfast and again criticizes Austria for its transit-restricting measures in Tyrol. Constructive talks will not begin until “the illegal traffic restrictions” are lifted, he said in Bolzano on Wednesday.
He said this clearly to his Austrian colleague Leonore Gewessler (Greens) in a recent conversation. He has already contacted German Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) and asked him to work with Italy to continue the infringement procedure against Austria. Salvini recently officially requested the European Commission to initiate such a procedure against Austria because of the Tyrolean anti-transit measures.
The next steps would certainly be of an official nature and no more announcements, the minister threatened on Wednesday. The minister responsible for the traffic agenda blamed the traffic restrictions in Austria and Tyrol for the traffic jams on the Brenner. The companies and freighters in South Tyrol and Trentino would suffer.
Praise for the model of the Brenner motorway
At the press conference in Landhaus in Bozen, Salvini also announced that he would visit the Brenner Base Tunnel (BBT) construction site in Mauls in South Tyrol’s Wipptal Valley on March 30. Italy is investing heavily in this project and he doubts Austria is as determined. The Lega politician praised the model of the Brennerautobahn (A13) and assured that he would work to get the concession granted as soon as possible. You then have to sit down at the table to divide the money from the winnings. In this context, the minister also advocated the dynamic third lane.
Compatscher for “lock system” and departure prohibition
Kompatscher, meanwhile, pointed out that the loading limit over the Brenner Pass had already been reached at certain times due to the excessive truck traffic and the significant number of cars. The “old system” needs to be revised or changed and improved. One of the possible solutions for this is the “slot system” model initiated by South Tyrol with bookable truck journeys.
In addition, Kompatscher spoke out for a departure ban for heavy traffic on certain busy days from the Brennerautobahn to the provincial roads, or a travel ban on those same days on certain days. Apparently Salvini didn’t see much of that. Environmental friendliness and sustainability cannot be achieved through regulations or prohibitions.
Backup for Salvini by Fugatti
Trentino governor and fellow party member Maurizio Fugatti aligned with Salvini on transit. The carriers would already invest in environmentally friendly trucks and in the infrastructure to transport goods by rail. It is unacceptable that they have to accept traffic restrictions on the other side of the Brenner Pass.
Before the press conference, Salvini not only met with Kompatscher and Fugatti, but also with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, the transport sector and the municipalities and district communities.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
