A9: closures between Chiasso and Como, impact on cross-border commuters

Context

TL;DR

• A9 highway closures between Chiasso and Como in late March/early April 2026
• Nighttime interruptions impact 65,000-70,000 daily cross-border commuters
• Alternative routes like SP 233 or SS 342 may add 15-40 minutes of delay
• Commuters advised to use trains or check real-time traffic apps

Key facts

• Affected Route: A9 highway between Chiasso and Como
• Closure Period: Late March to early April 2026
• Specific Dates: March 30 to April 2, 2026
• Investment Amount: 2.3 million euros
• Commuter Volume: Approximately 65,000 to 70,000 daily
• Estimated Delay: 25-40 minutes via alternative routes
• Nightly Schedule: Typically between 22:00 and 05:00
• Alternative Train: Trenord lines S11/S40

A9: closures between Chiasso and Como, impact on cross-border commuters

The A9 highway, also known as the Lakes Highway, a crucial route for the approximately 65,000 Ticino cross-border commuters (USTAT 2023 data) who travel to Lombardy daily, will undergo scheduled interruptions between late March and early April 2026. The interventions, approved by the City of Milan Metropolitan Area with resolution no. 2024/087, provide for an investment of €2.3 million for the transit of exceptional vehicles and extraordinary maintenance of the sections between Chiasso, Como, and Milan.

📊 Closure details

• First phase: night of March 31 - April 1, 2026 (22:00-5:00), with a total closure of the Como Centro-Chiasso section towards Switzerland and the Lago di Como-A59 section towards Lainate.
• Ticino municipalities involved: Chiasso, Coldrerio, and Morbio Inferiore, where over 12,000 cross-border commuters reside (elaboration based on USTAT 2023 data).
• Alternative routes: those returning to Switzerland from Milan will have to exit at Como Centro and follow SP 233 (Via per Cernobbio), with an estimated delay of 25-40 minutes compared to the normal journey.

⚠️ Impact on commuters

The closures coincide with the evening return time (between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM) for 37% of cross-border commuters, according to a survey by the Regio Insubrica Observatory (2024). Concrete examples:

• A commuter from Mendrisio to Saronno will take 1 hour and 15 minutes instead of the usual 50 minutes.
• Those working in the healthcare sector in Varese (approximately 3,200 cross-border commuters) will need to plan for a 30-minute buffer to avoid delays in night shifts.

💡 Checklist for cross-border commuters

1. Check the exact times on the Autostrade per l'Italia website (real-time updates). 2. Download the 'Ticino Traffic' app to monitor traffic flows at the Chiasso-Brogeda customs office. 3. Consider the train option (Trenord lines S11/S40), with additional runs until 11:45 PM.

"The closures are inevitable to ensure the safety of the bridges on Lake Como, but we are coordinating with Swiss cantons to mitigate the impact," says Marco Diodà, A9 Planning Manager.

Comparison of scenarios

• Optimistic scenario: limited disruptions for the first 2 nights, with full restoration by April 3.
• Critical scenario: possible domino effect on other arteries (Swiss A2 and SS 342 Briantea) in case of bad weather, with queues of up to 10 km.

The authorities advise planning journeys at least 48 hours in advance, taking advantage of transfrontalier telework agreements (such as the 2022 agreement between Canton Ticino and Regione Lombardia).

Operational details

Impact on cross-border commuters' daily routes

The nighttime closure of the A9 motorway between Chiasso and Como, scheduled for the first days of April, will significantly affect the approximately 70,000 cross-border commuters from Ticino who cross the border daily for work. This number represents about 20% of the active population of the Canton of Ticino, primarily traveling to the industrial hub of Como-Milan for their jobs.

• The restrictions will be in place for three consecutive nights: the night between Monday, March 30, and Tuesday, March 31, 2026; between Tuesday, March 31, and Wednesday, April 1; and between Wednesday, April 1, and Thursday, April 2.
• On the first night, the Lomazzo north entrance will be closed in both directions from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Commuters heading from Chiasso to Lainate are advised to use the Lomazzo south entrance, while those traveling from Lainate to Chiasso should enter at Fino Mornasco.

Practical examples of alternative routes

To better understand the impact of these closures, consider some concrete examples. A commuter living in Chiasso and working in Lainate will need to take the recommended alternative route, entering at Lomazzo south. This could add approximately 15-20 minutes to their travel time, depending on traffic conditions.

References to regulations and dates

The free movement of people between Switzerland and the EU, which includes cross-border commuters, is governed by specific regulations, such as the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) of June 21, 1998. This agreement allows Swiss and EU citizens to work in each other's territories without needing a work permit.

Operational checklist for commuters

To manage the A9 closures effectively, commuters can follow this checklist:

• Check closure times: Verify the exact motorway closure times to plan your trip.
• Choose an alternative route: Select the recommended alternative route to avoid closed areas.
• Real-time updates: Use navigation apps or traffic information services for real-time updates on traffic conditions.

Comparison of practical scenarios

Considering the nighttime closures, comparing the current scenario with one involving pre-planned alternative routes can help reduce stress and travel time. For example, a commuter traveling from Como to Chiasso might consider exiting at Fino Mornasco instead of Lomazzo north, saving valuable time.

⚠️ It is crucial for commuters to stay informed and plan their trips in advance to minimize the impact of these closures on their daily routes.

Useful tools to protect your net income

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

Key points

For Ticino commuters who regularly travel on the A9, it's essential to plan their trips in advance during closure days. Those returning to Ticino from Milan on affected evenings should consider rescheduling their trip, or preparing for detours that could add up to 30-40 minutes to their usual travel time.

A concrete example is that of Chiasso residents who work in Milan. Considering the closure of the A9 between Chiasso and Como, one option could be to take the Strada Statale 342 Briantea to the Brogeda customs office, which remains open. This alternative route can add around 10-15 minutes to the usual travel time. For those heading to Milan, after the mandatory exit at Lago di Como, you can continue along the ordinary road network to Fino Mornasco and then rejoin the highway.

⚠️ It's advisable to check real-time traffic conditions using dedicated apps like Waze or Google Maps and consider using the train as an alternative, especially for those working in central Milan. For example, a train ticket from Como to Milan can cost around 10-20 euros, depending on the class and availability.

To calculate the additional fuel costs due to detours, you can use online tools like the fuel cost calculator. Assuming an average consumption of 7 liters/100 km and a fuel price of 1.80 euros/liter, an increase in travel time of 30 minutes could correspond to an increase in costs of around 5-10 euros.

Operational checklist for commuters:

• Check real-time traffic conditions and A9 closures
• Consider alternative routes like Strada Statale 342 Briantea
• Use the train as an alternative, especially for those working in central Milan
• Calculate additional fuel costs due to detours

Comparison of practical scenarios:

Regulations and deadlines:

As of July 1, 2023, new road safety regulations have come into effect in Switzerland. It's essential to stay up-to-date on local regulations to avoid fines or penalties.

Useful references:

• Official A9 website: updated information on closures and ongoing work
• Swiss Federal Railways website: information on train schedules and ticket prices

Source: comozero.it