Uproar over the long-distance pass plan

“Tunnel projects violate the Alpine Convention”

The B179 Fernpass road is a traffic jam hotspot.(Bild: Peter Freiberger, Krone KREATIV)

The long-distance pass package of the state of Tyrol, which is worth around 500 million euros, continues to cause a lot of controversy: a new chapter was added on Wednesday: The tunnel projects would violate the Alpine Convention, according to the Alpine Convention Legal Services Office. The state immediately replied: the assumptions are "impractical".

"The planned construction of the crest tunnel and the second tube of the Lermoos tunnel are not compatible with Art. 11 Para. 1 VP (Transport Protocol of the Alpine Convention, note). The additional planned measures such as the introduction of further exit bans, the construction of metering traffic lights, underpasses, noise barriers and a long-distance pass toll, on the other hand, are compatible," said the Legal Service Center Alpine Convention (CIPRA).