Detours for commuters

“I even quit my job”

Because the trains between Carinthia and Salzburg don't run in November, this means huge detours.(Bild: ÖBB/Limpl)

The Tauern lock in Mallnitz is facing a total closure. Tourism representatives fear a huge drop in tourism as a result. And the bypass route is unreasonable for commuters. 

The Tauern lock in Mallnitz is the only and therefore all the more important train connection between Carinthia and Salzburg. However, it will be completely closed to rail traffic in November due to urgent renovation work. Guests and commuters in particular will therefore have to accept huge detours.

"We're talking about two hours in one direction," says Mallnitz mayor Günther Nowak, shaking his head. A rail replacement service has been set up via the Tauernautobahn. "Hardly anyone will take up the offer, as there is chaos on the A10 due to roadworks, which means even more delays!"

These long detours don't pay off. That's why I quit my job in Salzburg and looked for one in my home town of Mallnitz.

Ulrike Steiner, Bürokauffrau

According to Nowak, many commuters have organized themselves. "Some have looked for temporary rooms in Salzburg, others have even quit their jobs because they don't want to put up with the long commute!" Like office administrator Ulrike Steiner (52). "For me, the highway to the Gastein Valley would be a detour. That's why I looked for a new job in my home town of Mallnitz," says Steiner, who used to get to Salzburg by car and the Tauernschleuse. The community and tourism representatives are aware that renovation work is necessary. "But the period between November and July won't be fun for us."

There are fears that cycling tourism in particular will be lost. "People won't put up with the bypass. That would be too good," worries Regina Sterz, Mölltal's tourism representative.