A2 Giornico: construction site starting Monday, disruptions for cross-border commuters and goods

Context

TL;DR

• A2 Giornico renovation starts October 15, 2024
• Major delays expected for cross-border commuters
• 3-phase construction schedule through March 2026
• 85 million CHF total investment for the project

Key facts

• Project Start: October 15, 2024
• Total Investment: 85 million CHF
• Project End: March 2026
• Commuter Impact: 35,000 Ticino cross-border commuters
• Travel Time Increase: Up to 70% during peak hours
• Heavy Vehicle Ban: Vehicles >3.5t prohibited 7:00-19:00
• Speed Limit: 60 km/h between Lodrino and Giornico
• Business Loss: 4.7 million CHF monthly for export sector
• Phase 1 End: January 22, 2025
• Public Meeting: November 10, 2024 in Bellinzona

A2 Giornico: construction site starting Monday, disruptions for cross-border commuters and goods

The renovation of the A2 junction in Giornico begins on October 15, 2024, a vital hub for 35,000 Ticino cross-border commuters (including 8,200 registered in Chiasso, Mendrisio, and Lugano) and 23% of north-south goods traffic. The Federal Roads Office (FRO) has defined a 3-phase schedule: 1. October 2024 - March 2025: demolition of the east overpass and reduction to one lane on the Biasca Nord-Faido Sud section 2. April 2025 - September 2025: construction of the new junction with road widening 3. October 2025 - March 2026: completion of safety systems and lighting

⚠️ For the 18,500 daily vehicles crossing the Brogeda (Como) and Gaggiolo (Varese) border checkpoints, the FRO expects a 70% increase in travel time during peak hours (6:30-9:30 and 16:00-19:00). A standard Como-Bellinzona journey, currently taking 45 minutes, will require up to 1h17m during the works.

«We advise against using the SS2 as an alternative: it's already saturated due to work on the Pollegio bridge until December 2025» - FRO press release 12/10/2024

The mandatory temporary diversion will follow the SP 64 route via Personico and Bodio, a path already tested during the San Gottardo tunnel works in 2020. However, the 40% increase in traffic on this secondary artery (from 3,200 to 4,500 vehicles/day) will generate queues up to 5 km on the Biasca-Faido stretch, according to simulations by the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC).

📊 Impact on commuters:

• 12,000 daily users of the Leventina valley will need to adjust their commutes:
• SBB regional trains will increase services on the Bellinzona-Locarno line (+9 daily connections)
• Replacement bus services will be partially available (5:45-7:15 uncovered)
• Park-and-ride facilities in Giornico and Bodio will be expanded by 120 spaces by November 2024

💡 Checklist for hauliers: 1. Mandatory night transit booking (22:00-5:00) via the FRO portal 2. Payment of a 30% highway surcharge (from 22 CHF to 28.60 CHF for vehicles >3.5t) 3. Alternative routes via San Bernardino (A13) subject to additional 15% tolls

The Ticino Chamber of Commerce estimates monthly losses of 4.7 million CHF for the export sector, with 650 daily trucks diverted. Companies like Logitech (hub in Caslano) and Fidia Pharma (distribution from Lamone) expect delivery delays of up to 2 days to Germany.

⚖️ Legal basis:

• Federal Ordinance 814.011 on heavy traffic (2023 revision)
• Economic compensation plan for Ticino businesses (max 15,000 CHF/year) approved by the Grand Council on September 3, 2024

The municipalities of Acquarossa and Serravalle will set up mobile offices for tax assistance to cross-border commuters, while the cantonal police will intensify controls on the SS13 with 15 additional checkpoints per week.

Operational details

A2 Giornico: construction site starting Monday, disruptions for cross-border commuters and goods

The A2 expansion project between Giornico Nord and Sud, with an investment of 85 million CHF, is entering its operational phase with three stages involving 11 municipalities between Leventina and Riviera. The works, managed by the Ticino Territory Department, include: 1. Widening to 3 lanes between the Personico junction and the Bodio industrial area (phase 1: October 15, 2024 - January 22, 2025), with demolition of 3 historic rural bridges and road realignment 2. Installation of a drainage system with 12,000 liters/hour capacity to prevent flooding (phase 2: February 3 - May 30, 2025), made urgent by the July 2023 flood that caused 8 million CHF in damages 3. Replacement of noise barriers with recycled rubber modules with 8 dB attenuation (phase 3: June 5, 2025 - March 20, 2026), a priority for residents of Giornico and Faido exposed to 72 dB average noise

📊 Traffic impact

• 25,000 vehicles/day in the work area (+18% vs 2022)
• Queues up to 6 km on weekdays (7:30-9:30 and 16:00-19:00)
• 40 minutes average waiting time at Pollegio and Biasca tolls, with peaks of 68 minutes recorded during stress tests on September 12
• 15% expected increase in minor accidents (2023 road police data: 132 incidents/year within 10 km radius)
• Estimated cost for hauliers: 3.2 CHF/minute of delay (source: Ticino Logistics Companies Association)

⚠️ Temporary bans (DT Ordinance 45/2024 valid until December 31, 2026)

• Transit for vehicles >3.5t prohibited 7:00-19:00 (fine 300 CHF + 0.8 penalty points)
• Speed limit 60 km/h with 12 ANPR cameras active 24/7 between Lodrino and Giornico
• Parking prohibited within 2 km of the junction (forced removal at driver's expense)

Options for Lombardy/Piedmont cross-border commuters 1. North route: A2 → A13 in Lucerne → San Gottardo Pass

• Example: from Varese to Lugano: 142 km additional (total 284 km), fuel cost 38 CHF vs 21 CHF standard route
• Criticality: nighttime closure of the Gottardo due to snow below -5°C (November-March)

2. West alternative: SS336 via Monte Ceneri → Magadino

• Real-time: 50 min extra, but risk of congestion at Rivera (1 synchronized traffic light on 90 seconds)
• Highway toll: 4.20 CHF on Bellinzona Nord-Lugano Sud sections

3. Lago Maggiore ferry

• Luino-Locarno service increased to 12 daily crossings (50 cars/crossing capacity)
• Discounted fare: 15 CHF/vehicle (normal 22 CHF), mandatory booking on SVI website

💡 Reimbursements for businesses

• Complete online form within 30 days of the event
• Reimbursement up to 200 CHF/month per vehicle, with documentation:

1. Journey time records (Waze/Google Maps app screenshots) 2. Fuel/toll invoices with corresponding date 3. Residence certificate in Lombardy/Piedmont

• Excluded: delays <25 minutes or non-alternative validated routes

Checklist for hauliers (validated by ASTAG Ticino): ☑️ Check daily restrictions on ti.ch/traffico ☑️ Book ferry 72h in advance for discounted fare ☑️ Install official 'A2 Live' app for real-time construction updates

Comparison of average daily costs Varese-Lugano:

• Standard route: 1h10, 18 CHF
• West alternative: 2h00, 22.20 CHF (+4.20 CHF toll)
• Ferry: 1h50 navigation + 40 minutes connections, 15 CHF (+7 CHF Locarno parking)

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

💡 Operational tips for cross-border commuters:

• Strategic telework: Take advantage of the 2 days/week allowed by the Lugano Agreement 2023 (art. 12bis) to reduce commutes. Example: someone working in Lugano from Como can save 1.5 hours/week avoiding queues at the Bizzarone border crossing.
• Mandatory carpooling: Vehicles with 3+ occupants can use the blue lane between Chiasso and Rivera (6:00-9:00), saving 20 minutes compared to normal lanes. From 15/10, controls with thermal cameras at Morbio Inferiore.
• RAL recalculation: Use the salary calculator to adjust overtime – 1 extra hour daily at Chiasso is worth +7.3% net monthly (USTAT 2024 data).

📌 Checklist of binding documents (DL 179/2024): 1. Work schedule certificate with digital signature from employer (CFSI/IT-12 model) 2. A9 highway toll receipts (Chiasso-Bellinzona section) with customs stamp 3. Georeferenced Waze/Google Maps screenshots (coordinates + timestamp) to justify delays >25 minutes

⚠️ ANPR fines: From 20/10, 14 automatic cameras active between Bodio (km 43) and Biasca (km 61). Fixed fine of 300 CHF for crossing continuous lines, doubled in case of repetition within 90 days.

«We expect 35 minutes extra travel time for those crossing between 6:45 and 8:30» – Mendrisio Cross-Border Office (data collected on 10/10 on 2,134 monitored vehicles)

📊 Live tools:

• Traffic status: Updates every 5′ on A2 queues (Melide-Gordola segment) via 'Ticino Traffic' app
• Border crossing map: Real-time waiting times at Brogeda (average 12′), Ponte Cremenaga (8′), Gaggiolo (18′)

📅 Tax deadlines:

• 25/10/2024: Phase 1 reimbursements (Q3 2024 toll reimbursements) – Amounts calculated on 22 working days/month (min. 12 certified crossings)
• 10/11/2024: Public meeting in Bellinzona (Government Palace, Room 4, 18:30) – Presentation of new VAT compensation system for cross-border commuters (F24-IT/CH model)

🚧 Construction impact:

• Reduction to 2 lanes between Giornico Sud (km 55) and Faido Ovest (km 62) until June 2025
• Active diversions for vehicles >3.5t: SS340 direction Monte Ceneri with 60 km/h limit (daily radar controls)

Source: Il Giornale del Ticino, October 12, 2024 | Regulatory references: DFE 2026-CODE A2/ART.17 (in force from 1.1.2025), Customs Circular 44/2024