Stiegl deal clears way for Salzburg roundabout rebuild

A long-running legal dispute between Stiegl brewery and the City of Salzburg has been settled, clearing the way for the reconstruction of the roundabout at the Moosstraße and Nußdorferstraße junction, ORF reported. Stiegl will pay the 40,000 euros needed to relocate its power line beneath the public road construction site.

The city has wanted to replace the temporary roundabout with a permanent one for three years. The project is expected to cost 600,000 euros.

A power line runs beneath the asphalt between the Stiegl brewery and its private Pulvermühle power plant on the Almkanal canal, blocking the construction work. The brewery has generated its own electricity from the canal for more than 120 years.

Stiegl had initially refused to cover the relocation costs and planned to challenge a decision by the State Administrative Court before the highest court. Stiegl master brewer Christian Pöpperl said the company would now drop that plan after reaching an agreement with the city.

Deputy Mayor Kay-Michael Dankl of the KPÖ welcomed the settlement. He said the city needed legal clarity to prevent other companies from expecting it to pay for similar work involving gas, electricity or district heating lines.

The roundabout construction is due to begin after work at the Neutor construction site has been completed.