Decision in the state parliament

Fernpass toll caused heated discussions

The Fernpass, which connects the Tyrolean districts of Reutte and Imst, is a "permanent guest" in the traffic news.(Bild: Christof Birbaumer)

The provincial government defended its plans, which have been known since the end of January, in the provincial parliament. The opposition, on the other hand, fumed: "Unsocial, unfair, unjust!" This led to a lengthy debate.

The politicians' 500 million euro Fernpass plans have been known since the end of January - second tube for the Lermoos tunnel, construction of the Fernpass tunnel and tolls. The legal basis for this was approved on Wednesday - despite ongoing criticism.

"This package stands for safety, a good connection to the central region and orderly traffic management," emphasized Josef Geisler (VP). LR René Zumtobel (SP) also defended the package: "The measures are necessary. But there are not so many that this area is seen as a transit axis."

The owner of the Fernstein natural gem in Nassereith suddenly had a surveying team at his door. The toll station was planned on his property and stakes were hammered in - without informing him in advance!

FP-LA Evelyn Achhorner

The Fritz List is against the toll on the Fernpass because it is "anti-social, unfair and unjust". And: road construction projects have been implemented for years, "but a toll has never been discussed," said KO Markus Sint. He is calling for a referendum - as is Neos-LA Birgit Obermüller: "Many people don't understand why it is being passed over votes against."

For LA Gebi Mair from the Greens, the project is "one of the biggest wrong decisions". And FP-LA Evelyn Achhorner made people sit up and take notice: "The owner of the Fernstein natural jewel in Nassereith suddenly had a surveying team at his door. The toll station was planned on his property and stakes were hammered in - without informing him in advance!" Incidentally, he announced that the area would be closed to the public when the toll was introduced - and that's probably what will happen.