The Pfändertunnel is a tunnel located in the far northwest of Austria, situated on the A14 motorway between Leiblach and Bregenz/Kennelbach. It serves to bypass the Vorarlberg state capital Bregenz. The Pfändertunnel passes beneath the 1064-meter-high Pfänder mountain and connects the A96 from Germany with the Rheintalautobahn A14 in Austria. Travelers seeking a quick route from Germany to Austria can reach their destination swiftly via this tunnel.
Measurements in 2008 revealed that the Pfändertunnel was used by more than 27,000 vehicles per day. By the year 2020, this number increased to over 30,000 vehicles daily. These figures demonstrate that the construction of the tunnel achieved the desired effect of relieving traffic in Bregenz.
After several years of preparation, the construction of the Pfändertunnel began in 1973. The tunnel's construction was tendered in the following year. On September 27, 1974, the Pfändertunnel breakthrough took place, and the final breakthrough occurred on December 4, 1975. The Pfändertunnel was opened in 1980.
The eastern tube spans a length of 6,718 meters (6.7 km), while the western tube is 6,744 meters (6.7 km) long.
The Pfändertunnel was not always toll-free. Until a few years ago, it was necessary to purchase a route toll (corridor vignette) for the Pfändertunnel. The corridor vignette could be purchased for a price of €2 (one-way) or €4 (round trip), making it significantly cheaper than the standard 10-day vignette. However, since the price of the corridor vignette still led to most car drivers opting for toll-free roads around Bregenz, ASFINAG decided in 2019 to make four sections in Austria toll-free. These four toll-free sections include:
The exemption from corridor-based tolls applies only to car drivers. Vehicles weighing over 3.5 tons still require the Go Box for toll payment.
Yes, the Pfändertunnel is toll-free, unlike various other Austrian tunnels such as the Brenner, Karawankentunnel, and Katschbergtunnel.
Since the entire A14 is toll-free, it can be driven without a vignette all the way down to Altach. The toll-free distance covers approximately 23 km.
Driving through the Pfändertunnel is free of charge.
Yes, the entire A14 being toll-free allows all cities and villages directly located on the A14, including Dornbirn, Hohenems, Altach, and Götzis, to be accessed without a vignette.
Yes, you can drive to Bregenz without a vignette.
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