Gotthard traffic queue mounts as holidaymakers head south
The Gotthard tunnel regularly sees long traffic queues at peak travel times.
Keystone/gaetan Bally
Traffic queues at the northern entrance to Switzerland’s Gotthard Tunnel reached 14 km on Saturday morning, as people headed south for their holidays.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/jc
Travellers faced waiting times of more than two hours to enter the tunnel, according to auto group Touring Club Suisse (TCS). The tailback, which built during the morning, had already reached 11 km on Friday afternoon. It comes as school holidays begin in Switzerland’s most populous canton of Zurich.
The 17-kilometre Gotthard tunnel, rich in cultural and geographic significance, is one of the main thoroughfares through central Switzerland, linking the German-speaking north with the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino in the south. A separate, 57-kilometre train line – the longest rail tunnel in the world – also cuts through the mountain.
The Gotthard road tunnel, opened in 1980, regularly sees long traffic tailbacks at peak travel times.
In February 2016, Swiss voters gave the go-ahead to build a second road tunnel, to allow for renovations of the existing infrastructure and ensure better connections between north and south. Construction began in 2021. The second tunnel is not expected to open until at least 2029.
Popular Stories
More
Climate adaptation
Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Rhine could warm by up to 4°C by 2100, scientists warn
This content was published on
The water temperature of the Rhine River could rise by up to 4.2° degrees Celsius by the end of the century due to the warming planet, scientists warn.
This content was published on
The Federal Council wants to explore the possibilities of joining the European Union’s €800-billion rearmament programme without compromising Swiss neutrality.
Defence Minister Pfister stresses importance of Swiss mission in Balkans
This content was published on
During a visit to the Balkans region last week, Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister met Swisscoy peacekeeping troops in Kosovo.
Premiere for Swiss Air Force on French National Day
This content was published on
On July 14, the Swiss Air Force will take part in the traditional air parade in Paris to mark the French bank holidays with an F/A-18 fighter jet. This is a first for Switzerland.
Swiss launch competition for memorial to Nazi victims
This content was published on
The victims of Nazi Germany are to be commemorated on the Casinoterrasse in Bern. A competition will be held to determine what the site will look like.
This content was published on
The cantonal police of Graubünden in eastern Switzerland have arrested and convicted five cocaine dealers in Chur within a week.
This content was published on
The Swiss business umbrella organisation Economiesuisse and the employers' association broadly support the package of agreements negotiated with the European Union.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Holiday traffic clogs Gotthard road tunnel
This content was published on
The Gotthard road tunnel is one of the major crossing points in the Swiss Alps. According to the association Touring Club Suisse, the congestion began on Friday morning with traffic jams stretching over 10 kilometers by the evening. The situation abated somewhat overnight. By Saturday morning, the traffic jam in front of the Gotthard tunnel’s north…
Ceremony marks start of second Gotthard tunnel construction
This content was published on
Work on a second Gotthard road tunnel officially got underway on Wednesday with a groundbreaking ceremony held at both ends of the structure.
This content was published on
When the Gotthard base tunnel opens for business on Sunday, trains will be quicker but passengers will miss out on sights along the historic route.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.