Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) on 7 January closed the key Innsbruck Hbf–Rum section of the Weststrecke to replace the century-old Rauchmühl Bridge. The 20-day blockade, scheduled to run until 29 January, severs the main artery linking Vienna with Vorarlberg, Switzerland and southern Germany. Long-distance trains are being diverted over a freight bypass, lengthening Vienna–Zurich and Vienna–Bregenz journeys by roughly sixty minutes. ([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-09/at/three-week-rail-block-near-innsbruck-adds-an-hour-to-east-west-journeys/))
ÖBB has mobilised ninety coaches for rail-replacement buses, while freight operators brace for congestion on the Brenner and Tauern corridors as cargo is rerouted. The timing is awkward: January is peak season for Tyrolean ski resorts that rely on the line for guest transfers and supplies. Tour operators are revising arrival windows and warning clients to factor in the extra hour. ([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-09/at/three-week-rail-block-near-innsbruck-adds-an-hour-to-east-west-journeys/))
![Innsbruck bridge works add an hour to east-west rail journeys for three weeks]()
For passengers whose rerouted journeys now pass through additional countries or airports, VisaHQ can quickly clarify whether any extra transit or entry paperwork is required. Its Austria portal (https://www.visahq.com/austria/) lets travellers check visa rules, submit digital applications and arrange couriers in one place—helping avoid bureaucratic surprises while the Rauchmühl Bridge works disrupt the usual rail corridor.
International business travellers may switch to flights via Innsbruck or Munich, driving up last-minute airfares and carbon-budget headaches. Travel-management companies recommend flexible tickets and early seat selection on the substitute buses, which ÖBB admits are limited at commuter peaks. Employers with cross-border commuters from Bavaria or Graubünden are reviewing working-time rosters to avoid overtime breaches. ([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-09/at/three-week-rail-block-near-innsbruck-adds-an-hour-to-east-west-journeys/))
ÖBB argues the closure is unavoidable after engineers flagged steel fatigue that could become dangerous once spring thaw accelerates metal expansion. A dedicated microsite offers live bus timetables and push alerts. Mobility managers should brief staff on the detours, build buffer time into onward connections and keep an eye on EU working-time limits that could be exceeded by the longer daily commute. ([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-09/at/three-week-rail-block-near-innsbruck-adds-an-hour-to-east-west-journeys/))
ÖBB has mobilised ninety coaches for rail-replacement buses, while freight operators brace for congestion on the Brenner and Tauern corridors as cargo is rerouted. The timing is awkward: January is peak season for Tyrolean ski resorts that rely on the line for guest transfers and supplies. Tour operators are revising arrival windows and warning clients to factor in the extra hour. ([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-09/at/three-week-rail-block-near-innsbruck-adds-an-hour-to-east-west-journeys/))
For passengers whose rerouted journeys now pass through additional countries or airports, VisaHQ can quickly clarify whether any extra transit or entry paperwork is required. Its Austria portal (https://www.visahq.com/austria/) lets travellers check visa rules, submit digital applications and arrange couriers in one place—helping avoid bureaucratic surprises while the Rauchmühl Bridge works disrupt the usual rail corridor.
International business travellers may switch to flights via Innsbruck or Munich, driving up last-minute airfares and carbon-budget headaches. Travel-management companies recommend flexible tickets and early seat selection on the substitute buses, which ÖBB admits are limited at commuter peaks. Employers with cross-border commuters from Bavaria or Graubünden are reviewing working-time rosters to avoid overtime breaches. ([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-09/at/three-week-rail-block-near-innsbruck-adds-an-hour-to-east-west-journeys/))
ÖBB argues the closure is unavoidable after engineers flagged steel fatigue that could become dangerous once spring thaw accelerates metal expansion. A dedicated microsite offers live bus timetables and push alerts. Mobility managers should brief staff on the detours, build buffer time into onward connections and keep an eye on EU working-time limits that could be exceeded by the longer daily commute. ([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-09/at/three-week-rail-block-near-innsbruck-adds-an-hour-to-east-west-journeys/))
