Can I transit through the Como ZTL without the risk of a fine if I follow the route via Rodari–Cavour–Cairoli?

Yes, but only if you stay EXACTLY on the authorized route: via Rodari → piazza Roma → via Bianchi Giovini → piazza Cavour → via Fontana → via Cairoli. If you leave this route or take advantage of other areas of the ZTL, you incur a penalty. Tip: Screenshot of the navigator showing the authorized route, in the event of a subsequent dispute.

When does the construction site on the Como waterfront end? How long will it last?

The end date has not yet been specified by the source. Contact the Municipality of Como (unique number 031.2751) or check the institutional website for updates on the duration of the work. Timely communication is important to plan whether it's worth changing routes or switching to public transportation.

Do the fast lanes on Via Sauro, Battisti and Milan help me get to Chiasso from Como?

It depends on where you live and which itinerary you normally use. If your natural route passes through these routes to the north, yes. If you live on the lake and need to reach Chiasso to the east, they may push you away from your destination. Use Google Maps to test both routes (fast lanes vs. ZTL) and see which takes the least time at peak times.

If I am late for work in Switzerland due to the Como construction site, do I risk disciplinary consequences?

It depends on your contract. Occasional delays due to documented traffic (known construction site) are generally tolerated as force majeure. If repeated, the employer may ask for written justifications. Document the construction site (photo, news link) and promptly notify your Swiss employer. If delays become frequent, negotiate flexible hours or telecommute.

Which is more convenient: the alternative ZTL route, the fast lanes or the train?

It depends on the time added and your hourly earnings. If the ZTL route adds 10-15 minutes and your gross hourly wage is CHF 25, the cost is CHF 4-6 per day = CHF 20-30 per week. A Como–Chiasso train subscription costs around CHF 70 per week. If the alternative route adds <30 minutes, the machine remains cheaper; further, the train becomes convenient. Use the site's car cost calculator for accurate analysis.

Como, traffic disaster: open lanes and ZTL (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 5 September 2026

Heavy traffic on highway near Como with construction barriers and orange warning signs

The Municipality of Como has opened preferential lanes and ZTL zones for vehicles to Switzerland. Here are the authorized routes and how to move around the construction site.

Context

In short

Construction site on Como Lakefront: underground services being redone; priority lanes and ZTL open
Vehicles heading to Switzerland can use via Rodari–piazza Roma–piazza Cavour–via Cairoli
Disruptions on the Lariana (Como-Bellagio); nine mayors have protested

Key facts

What: Opening of priority lanes (via Sauro, Battisti, Milano) + ZTL passable for vehicles heading to Switzerland
When: For two days; end not yet specified
Where: Como, Lakefront; Lariana road Como-Bellagio
Who: Municipality of Como, mayors of the East shore of the lake, Acus
ZTL route: via Rodari–piazza Roma–via Bianchi Giovini–piazza Cavour–via Fontana–via Cairoli

The construction site that paralyzes the passage to Switzerland

The construction site started two days ago on the Como Lakefront for the renovation of underground services is causing devastating disruptions to normal traffic. The hole that opened months earlier made a deep structural intervention necessary, but the impact on traffic has been more severe than expected. The Lariana, the road connecting Como to Bellagio and one of the main traffic corridors to Ticino and the Chiasso border, is practically blocked. Italian cross-border workers who normally work in the Canton of Ticino usually travel this road to reach the border crossings. With the ongoing construction, the flow has completely jammed. The situation was so serious that nine mayors of the East shore of the lake sent a furious protest to the Municipality of Como and had even contacted the prefect to request intervention. Acus also reported the problem.

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Operational details

Real impact on the cross-border commuter: times and routes

For the cross-border commuter who lives in Como or in the surrounding municipalities and works in Ticino, the construction site is not just local news. It is a concrete loss of time and potentially measurable in terms of hourly earnings. Those who normally take 15-20 minutes to travel the Lariana towards Chiasso now find themselves having to follow alternative routes that require precise navigation and add distance.

The choice between the priority lanes and the ZTL route is not intuitive. The priority lanes on via Sauro, Battisti, and Milano towards Milano can be useful for those coming from the north of the city, but for those living in central Como or in the lakeside municipalities and wanting to reach Chiasso, the added value is uncertain. The Lariana was the direct route; the alternatives revolve around the urban center, adding at least 5-10 minutes.

How to navigate the ZTL route: dangers and procedures

The route via Rodari–piazza Roma–via Bianchi Giovini–piazza Cavour–via Fontana–via Cairoli is not the natural path. It requires knowing Como, following specific turns, and being careful not to exit the authorized route, risking a fine for violating the ZTL.

Many cross-border commuters do not know Como in detail and, relying on the navigator, might receive alternative suggestions that exit the authorized zone. In this case, a fine of several hundred euros could result from not respecting the ZTL exemption.

Concrete actions: Save the route on the navigator BEFORE having to travel it. Test the route during low traffic times (e.g., on the weekend) to familiarize yourself with the turns. Check on Google Maps or Apple Maps the real-time duration during peak hours compared to the departure with the Lariana free.

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Key points

Practical procedure: what to do immediately

If you are a commuter leaving Como for Ticino during the construction period, follow this checklist:

1. Check the status of the construction site Contact the Municipality of Como or its official website to confirm if the construction site is still active and when it is expected to be completed. Do not rely solely on general news; call the Municipality's single number for up-to-date information.

2. Save the ZTL route on your navigator If you decide to use the route through the ZTL (via Rodari–piazza Roma–via Bianchi Giovini–piazza Cavour–via Fontana–via Cairoli), load it as a "saved route" on Google Maps or Apple Maps before you leave. This way, you will have step-by-step text and voice guidance.

3. Make a trial run during low traffic hours Drive the route once on the weekend or during peak hours to understand where the critical turns are, where the reference parking lots are, and what the actual travel time is.

4. Compare total times Calculate the total time from your home to the entrance of your employer in Ticino (or the Chiasso border crossing). Add: departure time + alternative route (e.g., ZTL with detours) + wait time at the border + arrival. If the delay is more than 30 minutes compared to the pre-construction situation, consider alternatives.

5. Consider telecommuting or flexible hours Contact your Swiss employer and explain the situation. Many cross-border contracts allow 1-2 days of telecommuting per week. Negotiating a partial week from home during the construction period may be more convenient than losing hours in traffic.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transit through the Como ZTL without the risk of a fine if I follow the route via Rodari–Cavour–Cairoli?: Yes, but only if you stay EXACTLY on the authorized route: via Rodari → piazza Roma → via Bianchi Giovini → piazza Cavour → via Fontana → via Cairoli. If you leave this route or take advantage of other areas of the ZTL, you incur a penalty. Tip: Screenshot of the navigator showing the authorized route, in the event of a subsequent dispute.
When does the construction site on the Como waterfront end? How long will it last?: The end date has not yet been specified by the source. Contact the Municipality of Como (unique number 031.2751) or check the institutional website for updates on the duration of the work. Timely communication is important to plan whether it's worth changing routes or switching to public transportation.
Do the fast lanes on Via Sauro, Battisti and Milan help me get to Chiasso from Como?: It depends on where you live and which itinerary you normally use. If your natural route passes through these routes to the north, yes. If you live on the lake and need to reach Chiasso to the east, they may push you away from your destination. Use Google Maps to test both routes (fast lanes vs. ZTL) and see which takes the least time at peak times.
If I am late for work in Switzerland due to the Como construction site, do I risk disciplinary consequences?: It depends on your contract. Occasional delays due to documented traffic (known construction site) are generally tolerated as force majeure. If repeated, the employer may ask for written justifications. Document the construction site (photo, news link) and promptly notify your Swiss employer. If delays become frequent, negotiate flexible hours or telecommute.
Which is more convenient: the alternative ZTL route, the fast lanes or the train?: It depends on the time added and your hourly earnings. If the ZTL route adds 10-15 minutes and your gross hourly wage is CHF 25, the cost is CHF 4-6 per day = CHF 20-30 per week. A Como–Chiasso train subscription costs around CHF 70 per week. If the alternative route adds <30 minutes, the machine remains cheaper; further, the train becomes convenient. Use the site's car cost calculator for accurate analysis.