by EH
More than a year after a devastating landslide severed a critical cross-border route between Italy and Austria, the Monte Croce Carnico Pass has reopened to limited vehicular traffic. The reopening marks a significant milestone in a €15 million reconstruction effort co-financed by Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and the state road agency, Anas.
The pass, vital for connecting Friuli Venezia Giulia with Austria’s Carinthia region, is now accessible to cars only on weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with alternating one-way traffic managed by flaggers. Other vehicles, including motorcycles, bicycles, and trucks, remain prohibited while final safety measures are completed.
The reconstruction effort involved the installation of advanced rockfall barriers and constant monitoring systems to secure the landslide-prone area. “This was a complex intervention executed with excellence,” said Cristina Amirante, the regional infrastructure councillor.
The closure of the pass in 2023 disrupted trade and travel between the regions, prompting swift cooperation between Friuli Venezia Giulia and Carinthia. Both regions stressed the importance of maintaining the route’s safety and reliability.
“Today demonstrates how cross-border cooperation can achieve tangible results,” said Peter Kaiser, president of Carinthia.
Officials aim for full reopening within months, which would restore the pass as a critical connection for the region’s communities and economies.
