Chaos around Vienna

Holiday exodus causes gridlock on the roads

Miles-long traffic jams and several accidents brought traffic around Vienna to a standstill on Wednesday afternoon.(Bild: Andi Schiel)

The upcoming holiday caused massive traffic problems in and around Vienna on Wednesday afternoon. The greater Vienna area experienced a complete traffic gridlock that left numerous drivers stranded for hours.

According to ÖAMTC expert Harald Lasser, the total gridlock on many major thoroughfares was primarily caused by severe congestion and several accidents—fortunately, none of which resulted in serious injury. The roads leading from the south toward the north were particularly affected.

Traffic standstill on major routes
On the A21 (Outer Ring Highway), traffic backed up from Hinterbrühl to the Prater interchange on the A23—a line of cars stretching about 20 kilometers. On the A4 (Eastern Highway) as well, traffic came to a complete standstill at times between Schwechat and Vienna.

Many drivers then tried to escape via alternate routes in Simmering—with little success. Accidents resulting in property damage and complete blockages occurred there as well, for example on Etrichstraße and Freudenauer Hafenstraße.

No end in sight
In addition, the A22 (Danube River Highway) toward the A23 was heavily congested starting at the Reichsbrücke. On the A23 itself, the traffic jam stretched all the way to Breitenlee and the S2.

“This will keep us on our toes for a while longer, likely into the late evening hours,” according to the traffic expert’s assessment—so an end to the traffic problems is not in sight for the time being.