Winter opening times at VERBUND Danube power plant crossing in Upper Austria

VERBUND, Austria’s leading electricity company and operator of the Danube power plants, is again announcing its winter opening times at the Danube power plant crossings of Abwinden-Asten and Ottensheim-Wilhering: The power plant passages will be closed from 1 November 2012 until 31 March 2013 (inclusive). In the event that warm temperatures prevail in November and March, the crossings will remain open from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. However, for reasons of liability, the bridges will be completely closed to cyclists and pedestrians from the start of December 2012 until the end of February 2013.

This regulation for the utilisation of the Danube power plant crossings of Abwinden-Asten and Ottensheim-Wilhering was mutually agreed in 2010 by the department of overall traffic planning and public transport from the province of Upper Austria and by Upper Austria Tourism, as well as by the mayor of Ottensheim and the mayor of the municipality of Luftenberg. The guaranteed opening times continue to be from 1 April until 31 October 2012 (inclusive), from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m.

More flexible opening times in November and March
Since the months of November and March are often subject to longer periods of fine weather, allowing an ice- and snow-free utilisation, VERBUND is prepared – in the interests of the community – to in future keep the power plant crossing open for cyclists and pedestrians in these months, during warm weather conditions. The weekends around the Easter period, in particular, are thus regulated in a more straightforward manner during fine weather. However, the decision to open lies with VERBUND.

Acceptance of liability by the authorities is not envisaged for the months of December through to February. The scattering of grit and salt causes damage to the power plant buildings, as well as to the offices located below. For this reason, a snow- and ice-free utilisation of the power plant crossings cannot be guaranteed.

The department of overall traffic planning and public transport from the province of Upper Austria will again accordingly provide users with advance notice of the opening times of nationwide cycling and hiking paths by means of signage on the paths. "Information panels along the cycle routes will provide cyclists with timely information about the opening times," advised Johann Froschauer, the individual responsible for the cycle path network in Upper Austria.

Winter opening times 2012/2013
Open in November 2012 and March 2013 from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. during periods of mild temperatures.

Guaranteed opening times 2013
From 1 April until 31 October 2013, open daily from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m.