Plöcken Pass closes again, unsettling Gailtal businesses

The Plöcken Pass, a border crossing between Carinthia and Italy, has been closed again for two weeks, raising uncertainty for businesses in the Gailtal valley, ORF reports. The closure began on Monday morning and is due to last until 6 p.m. on November 6.

Businesses in the valley that trade with Italy are particularly affected. The pass provides a short route to Friuli; otherwise, companies must take long detours. Kötschach-Mauthen Mayor Josef Zoppoth said repeated closures make it difficult for businesses to plan.

The latest closure began during the autumn school holidays. Although the closure on the Italian side had been expected, Zoppoth said it added further uncertainty for the valley. The municipal council has repeatedly urged the national and regional governments to intervene with Italy, but talks between the regional government and Italian politicians have so far produced no solution to the rockfall problem.

Three years ago, large rocks fell onto the Plöcken Pass road near Kötschach-Mauthen, leading to a closure of more than a year and severe effects on tourism and businesses on both sides of the border, particularly in the Gailtal.