Bavarian border congestion: Returning individuals trapped - 'A calamity'
Border Control Troubles at Scharnitz Tunnel
Munich
Region
Status: A chaotic traffic situation due to heightened border controls at the Austrian-German border. The Scharnitz mayor expresses concern.
Mittenwald - Tougher border checks by German federal police are causing major headaches for travelers at the Austrian-German border. Christof Schnürer, editor for the Merkur, has the scoop on the stressful scenes at the Scharnitz tunnel where holiday-weary travelers faced a wicked traffic jam last weekend.
- The traffic standstill reached Zirl on Saturday.
- German police are beefing up entry checks per instructions from Interior Minister Dobrindt.
- Scharnitz mayor Christian Ihrenberger calls this a "disaster."
Scharnitz Tunnel: A Traffic Nightmare
The Porta-Claudia tunnel in Scharnitz, intended for relieving traffic, becomes a gridlock. When German officers scrutinize entry, drivers must slow to a meager 10 km/h. The fallout: The upper Scharnitz bypass tunnel necessitates closing with traffic lights—backup is the result. "A disaster," thus declares Scharnitz mayor Christian Ihrenberger. According to him, vehicles bound for Germany were "at a standstill all the way down to Zirl."
Dr. Rainer Scharf, spokesperson for the federal police in Rosenheim, defends the actions: "We're not aiming to create traffic jams," he clarifies, rather, it's about nipping human trafficking in the bud at this 'important secondary crossing'—even during the holiday season. The police spokesman asserts that the traffic situation is being monitored closely.
The Merkur editors from various distribution areas keep you informed about happenings in their regions. We bring these stories to you here on tz—originals can be found at Merkur.de/local/.
Evading the Traffic Jam
Some drivers are finding ways around the traffic jam via the Leutasch valley. Georgios Chrysochoidis, the mayor there, considers the situation "noteworthy but non-catastrophic." Yet, Ihrenberger voices concern: How can emergency services reach the town swiftly during such traffic jams? As a small-town mayor, he feels hamstrung: "This calls for action at a higher level."
Also Worth Mentioning
While this Outbrain content cannot be displayed due to privacy settings, alternate sources of information about the situation's solutions and official statements can be found by consulting local news sources or transport authorities. As Seefeld is well-served by regional buses, these could lessen negative effects on traffic[1].
[1] Source: Local public transit options(Adjust ad blocker settings to view if necessary)
- The traffic congestion at Scharnitz Tunnel, caused by stricter border controls and increased entry checks, has been deemed a "disaster" by Scharnitz mayor Christian Ihrenberger, with vehicles reportedly at a standstill all the way down to Zirl.
- While some drivers are evading the traffic jam via the Leutasch valley, scholarships like Georgios Chrysochoidis, the mayor there, call the situation notable but not catastrophic. However, Ihrenberger raises concerns about emergency services reaching Scharnitz quickly during such traffic jams, calling for action at a higher level.
