Final Phase in Flood Protection Works on the Isel River

In October, work began in Lienz on the third construction phase of the flood protection project in the Isel. The closure on the right Iselweg will be lifted at the end of the year. The Iselsteg, on the other hand, will be closed until spring 2026 as it is being rebuilt.

Work on flood protection measures in the Isel will begin in November 2025 in the third and final construction phase. As in previous years, the majority of construction site traffic takes place in the riverbed area, which largely avoids disruption to inner-city traffic.

There will still be restrictions, as the right Iselweg between the Spitalsbrücke and the Iselsteg is expected to remain closed until Christmas 2025. “During this time, the section of road will be excavated, drainage will be made and a new asphalt surface will be applied,” explains city architect Klaus Seirer.

The Iselsteg will also be closed from November 10, 2025 - until spring 2026. "This is unavoidable because we need a crane in the Isel stream bed for the preparatory and final work so that the supporting structure can be assembled there and lifted from there," emphasizes Johannes Nemmert, head of the Lienz building district office. The diversion for pedestrians and cyclists is via the Pfarrbrücke, the Rechter Iselweg into Schulstraße or via the Spitalsbrücke and Südtiroler Platz into Muchargasse.  

Construction work in the parish bridge area is expected to be completed by the end of the year. This includes the construction of the sea wall in the orographic right area, the embankment (embankment) in the orographic left area and the bottom ramp at the parish bridge. However, the compensatory measures on the water drain near the Schlossbrücke will continue until spring, as will the work on the sun terrace in Iselpark.

“Despite the size of the project and the many imponderables when building in and around a glacial river right in the heart of the city, we are right on schedule,” says Lienz Mayor Elisabeth Blanik, who pays respect to the responsible planners and implementing companies and workers. “I would also like to thank the citizens of the city, who have a great deal of understanding for the importance of this flood protection project and who tolerate isolated disruptions very calmly,” said Blanik.