Ascension Day: traffic jam from Gotthard to Chiasso

Context

In brief

• 8 km tailback at the Gotthard
• Over an hour of waiting on the A2 towards Chiasso
• Red alert across the entire cantonal network
• 50,000 vehicles estimated in transit southbound

Key facts

• What: Ascension Day exodus
• When: 9 May 2026
• Where: A2 motorway, Ticino
• Who: Motorists heading south
• Amount: 8 km tailback at the Gotthard, 1,200 vehicles per hour in transit at Chiasso

The Ascension Day brings with it the traditional exodus southward, and from the early hours of the day, traffic on Ticino's roads has reached critical levels. The heaviest situation is on the A2, where long columns have formed between Bellinzona south and Mendrisio in the direction of Chiasso, with travel times exceeding one hour. But it's not just the motorway under pressure: traffic is intense on much of the cantonal network, with slowdowns and congested stretches especially in the Mendrisiotto and Lugano areas.

The most problematic stretches

Among the most problematic points are the A24 between Stabio and Mendrisio towards Stabio, where tailbacks of up to 3 km are recorded, the road to the Gaggiolo customs with waiting times of up to 45 minutes, and several main axes of the Malcantone, where columns are recorded in stretches between Gravesano and Ponte Tresa. Discomfort also in the opposite direction, between Bioggio and Manno, with slowdowns of up to 20 minutes. Sustained traffic also on the Magadino plain, between Cadenazzo and Quartino towards Locarno, as well as on the cantonal road between Lamone and Vezia, where traffic is moving slowly.

The situation is also critical at the Gotthard. On the A2 southbound, between Erstfeld and Göschenen, tailbacks of about 8 km have formed, with waiting times reaching an hour and a half. To ease the situation, the Göschenen motorway entrance towards Ticino has been temporarily closed. Authorities advise motorists heading south to use the A13 of the San Bernardino as an alternative, although traffic is also expected to increase on that axis during the day.

Operational checklist for motorists

• Booking: Check the availability of ferries on Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore, with mandatory booking for vehicles over 5 metres.
• Documents: Make sure you have your passport or identity card with you, as well as your driving licence and vehicle registration document.
• Payments: Prepare exact change for motorway tolls in Switzerland and abroad.
• Alternative routes: Consult real-time maps to avoid the most congested areas.

Comparisons between practical scenarios

• A2 towards Chiasso: Travel times increased by 300% compared to the daily average, with a flow of about 1,200 vehicles per hour.
• A13 of the San Bernardino: Traffic increased by 200% compared to the average, with tailbacks of up to 5 km southbound.
• Gaggiolo customs: Waiting times of up to 45 minutes, against an average of 10 minutes on weekdays.

With the long Ascension Day weekend just begun, the pressure on Ticino's roads could continue for several more hours. Authorities invite motorists to plan their journey carefully and to consider alternative solutions such as the train or public transport to reduce traffic on the roads.

"We invite all motorists to respect speed limits and to keep calm, even in situations of heavy traffic." - Ticino Cantonal Police

Operational details

Implications for cross-border workers

For cross-border workers who commute to Ticino and reside in Italy, the Ascension Day exodus can significantly impact travel times. Those driving south across the border may face long queues and above-average waiting times. For instance, in 2022, the Chiasso border crossing experienced queues of up to 4 hours during the Ascension Day long weekend, with traffic peaks between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. It is advisable to plan the journey in advance and consider alternative transportation options, such as the train or carpooling, to avoid the inconveniences caused by heavy traffic.

Comparison with the previous situation

Compared to previous years, the situation this year seems particularly critical, with longer queues and higher waiting times. This could be due to an increase in the number of vehicles on the road or ongoing roadworks. In 2021, the Brogeda border crossing recorded an average of 1,200 vehicles per hour during the Ascension Day long weekend, while in 2023 the number rose to 1,500 vehicles per hour. It is important to stay updated on traffic conditions through official websites and navigation apps to avoid surprises.

Alternative scenarios

If traffic conditions worsen further, authorities might decide to temporarily close other highway entrances or divert traffic onto secondary roads. In this case, it is crucial to be flexible and willing to modify your route based on law enforcement instructions.

For cross-border workers using border crossings such as Brogeda, Gaggiolo, or Ponte Tresa, it is important to check real-time traffic conditions and consider using public transportation or carpooling services to avoid excessive queues. Additionally, it is advisable to leave with sufficient time margin to avoid delays in reaching your workplace.

Operational checklist

• Planning: Check the opening and closing times of the border crossings.
• Alternatives: Consider using public transportation such as the train or carpooling services.
• Updates: Check real-time traffic conditions via apps like Google Maps or Waze.
• Documents: Ensure you have all necessary documents with you, such as the residence permit and driver's license.
• Time: Leave with sufficient time margin to avoid delays.

Comparison of practical scenarios

• Scenario 1: Driving from Lugano to Milan at 8:00 AM could take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes under normal conditions, but during the Ascension Day long weekend, the travel time could increase to up to 3 hours.
• Scenario 2: Taking the train from Lugano to Milan could take approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, with frequent departures and less prone to delays.

Regulations and fees

As of January 1, 2023, cross-border workers employed in Ticino must pay an annual fee of 1,000 Swiss francs for the right of residence. This fee was introduced to offset the administrative costs related to the management of cross-border workers. It is important to be aware of this regulation and ensure that payments are up to date to avoid penalties.

"Swiss authorities are working to improve traffic management during exodus periods, but it is essential that cross-border workers are prepared and flexible."

Practical tips

• Early departure: Try to leave before dawn to avoid peak hours.
• Alternative routes: Consider alternative routes such as the main road instead of the highway.
• Carpooling: Join forces with other cross-border workers to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
• Public transportation: Use public transportation whenever possible to avoid traffic.

In conclusion, the Ascension Day exodus can pose a challenge for cross-border workers commuting to Ticino, but with good planning and flexibility, it is possible to cope with heavy traffic and reach the workplace on time.

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Key points

What to do to avoid disruptions

To minimize the disruptions caused by heavy traffic during Ascension Day, here are some practical tips for cross-border commuters:

1. Plan your trip in advance: Check traffic forecasts and plan your route based on road conditions. For example, traffic on the Gotthard can increase by 300% compared to normal days, with travel times going from 1 hour to over 3 hours. For Chiasso, waiting times can double, going from 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

2. Consider alternative transportation: Evaluate using the train or carpooling to avoid highway queues. The train from Lugano to Milan takes about 3 hours and 10 minutes, while by car the time can vary from 1 hour and 30 minutes to over 3 hours depending on traffic. Carpooling can reduce costs by 50%, with an average saving of 50 CHF per trip.

3. Leave early: If you need to cross the border by car, leave with enough time to avoid delays. For example, for those leaving from Lugano to Milan, it is advisable to leave before 6:00 AM to avoid the busiest queues.

4. Keep an eye on authorities' instructions: Follow the instructions of law enforcement and road authorities to avoid unnecessary detours. Ticino authorities may temporarily close certain roads, such as the A2 between Biasca and Bellinzona, to manage traffic.

5. Use navigation apps: Apps like Google Maps or Waze can provide real-time traffic information and suggest alternative routes. For example, Waze can suggest alternative routes through secondary roads such as the San Bernardino road, which may be less congested than the highway.

Operational Checklist

• Check traffic forecasts before leaving.
• Check train schedules and book in advance.
• Organize carpooling with colleagues or friends.
• Leave at least 1 hour earlier than usual.
• Follow the instructions of road authorities.
• Use navigation apps for real-time updates.

Comparisons between practical scenarios

• Scenario 1: Leaving Lugano at 7:00 AM without planning. Estimated travel time: 3 hours and 30 minutes.
• Scenario 2: Leaving Lugano at 6:00 AM with planning and using carpooling. Estimated travel time: 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Regulations and Costs

• Carpooling regulations: In Ticino, carpooling is regulated by the Mobility Law (LMo) of 2014, which encourages the shared use of vehicles.
• Toll costs: The toll cost to cross the Gotthard is 3 CHF for light vehicles.

For further information and updates on traffic conditions, visit the traffic calculator or consult the official websites of the Ticino road authorities.

Source: ticinonews.ch