Austria starts constructing border management facilities on border with Italy

Austria began construction of border management facilities at the Brenner Pass on the shared border with Italy on Tuesday despite protests from the Italian government, local media reported.

The construction will be similar to border management infrastructure at the Slovenian border, intended to control the influx of migrants in light of the ongoing crisis.

The first parts of the construction, due to be completed by the end of May, include roofing and a traffic island. Local authorities said traffic on the motorway that passes through will not be affected by the construction.

The traffic entering the controls will be split into four lanes, two for cars and two for trucks. Those that are then deemed to warrant closer inspection will be directed to a parking lot.

International traffic will be affected as little as possible, it stated, though delays cannot be ruled out.

Italian official in charge of European affairs Sandro Gozi labeled the controls as a "grave mistake."

He said the construction is a breach of European rules, and other officials in the country have echoed similar sentiments, with concerns in particular centered on the economic impact of such a barrier.

Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner rejected the concerns, however, claiming Austria is only doing what it had announced weeks ago, in preparation for potentially uncontrollable streams of migrants.

She noted that while Austria will "do everything it can" to keep free travel open at the border, Italy will also have to play a part to ensure there are no mass streams of migrants wishing to cross at the Brenner Pass. Endite