A major traffic change is coming for drivers in downtown Vienna. Starting Tuesday, November 10, 2026, the Salztor Bridge over the Danube Canal will be closed to general motor vehicle traffic. This affects cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

The important connection between the first and second districts of Vienna will remain accessible for pedestrians, cyclists, and the Citybus 2A.

The ÖAMTC criticized the short-term implementation of the closure in a statement on Monday, November 9, and is calling for a comprehensible traffic concept.

According to the available information, all cars, motorcycles, and trucks are affected by the closure. Light motor vehicles are also not allowed to cross the bridge anymore.

Exemptions are made for pedestrians, cyclists, and the Citybus 2A.

The ÖAMTC particularly questions why motorcycles and light cars are completely excluded, while the significantly heavier public bus is still allowed to operate.

„If a bridge can no longer be safely used, action must be taken – that is clear,“ explains ÖAMTC traffic expert Matthias Nagler.

However, the mobility club finds it incomprehensible why, after years of inspections, such a comprehensive closure is now necessary at short notice.

The city of Vienna has established specific alternative routes for the closure of the Salztor Bridge. Those traveling by car towards the Inner City will be redirected via the Roßauer Bridge. For trips towards Leopoldstadt, the Augarten Bridge and the Marien Bridge are available as official detour routes.

The city justifies the restrictions with the condition of the bridge. After intensive investigations and on the recommendation of an expert commission, the load on the structure should be reduced as a precaution.

The connection remains open for pedestrians, cyclists, and the Citybus line 2A. According to the city of Vienna, this limited use is safely possible under ongoing monitoring.

The traffic measures are currently planned until January 10, 2028. The demolition of the existing bridge is set to begin at the start of 2028, with the new construction planned from 2029.

According to the ÖAMTC, the advanced age and condition of the Salztor Bridge have been known for several years.

The mobility club therefore calls on the city of Vienna to disclose the measurement data and calculations that justify the vehicle ban.

This particularly concerns the question of why the bridge must be closed to general motorized traffic while the line bus 2A remains permitted.

The safety-related decision-making bases of the city of Vienna are not included in the present ÖAMTC release. A statement from the responsible city departments is also not included.

The Salztor Bridge is an important connection between the Inner City and Leopoldstadt.

According to the official figures cited by the ÖAMTC, around 12,000 motor vehicles use the crossing daily.

During the closure, the affected motorized traffic must divert to other routes.

The mobility club therefore expects traffic jams and delays. How significantly the closure will actually affect the surrounding roads is currently still uncertain.

The ÖAMTC suggests examining less extensive restrictions for the transition period.

According to traffic expert Matthias Nagler, it could be investigated whether, while complying with all safety requirements, at least one lane towards the first district could remain open for light vehicles under 3.5 tons.

The mobility club assumes a transition period of more than a year in its announcement.

Whether such a partial opening would be possible from a structural and traffic engineering perspective cannot be assessed based on the available information.

In addition to the upcoming closure, the ÖAMTC is also concerned with the planned new Salztor Bridge.

According to information from the mobility club, the new bridge may possibly have the same dimensions as the existing structure. Wider bike paths could thus be made possible by eliminating one lane.

These planning assumptions are not substantiated by published construction plans in the announcement.

Instead, the ÖAMTC suggests examining a one-way concept. In this case, motorized traffic could be directed on the new Salztor Bridge towards the first district, while the opposite direction would run over the Marien Bridge.

Additionally, the mobility club proposes a bus lane with access for bicycle traffic towards the city center and a dedicated bike path towards Leopoldstadt.

The closure for cars, motorcycles, and trucks is set to begin on November 10, 2026.

How long the traffic management will actually remain in place and when the reconstruction is expected to be completed is not specifically mentioned in the current release.

The ÖAMTC calls on the city of Vienna to publicly discuss possible planning options early on and to transparently present the basis for the closure.

For road users, the measure initially means that from Tuesday they will have to switch to other Danube Canal crossings.

(Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article .