Westautobahn

The Westautobahn (A1) ('Western Motorway') was the first motorway, or ‘Autobahn’, to be built in Austria. It originated from the plans drawn up for the so-called "Reichsautobahn". It runs from Vienna to Salzburg via Linz. In Salzburg, it joins the German A8 at Walserberg.

The first two sections were built between 1938 and 1941 on in Salzburg until construction works ceased during World War II. Between 1947 and 1965 this "Little AVUS" was the site of an annual motorcycle race, the later "Grand Prix of Austria" with racer Helmut Krackowizer among the first winners. The construction of the A1 continued from 1954 on, the final sections, which were completed in the 1970s, were the crossing of the Strengberg on the border between Upper and Lower Austria and the parts between Lambach and Vöcklabruck in Upper Austria.

Now that it represents such an important connection between East and West, portions of the A1 are gradually being expanded to three lanes in each direction.

The motorway links to the following additional motorways and major roads:

ee also

*Autobahns of Austria