Como, traffic disaster: open lanes and ZTL

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.

The three priority lanes opened by the Municipality

Faced with growing pressure, the Municipality of Como announced a series of temporary derogations from the normal traffic discipline, starting with the priority lanes. Until the completion of the lakefront works, the following priority lanes have been opened and made passable:

• Via Sauro
• Via Battisti
• Via Milano, towards Milan

Normally, priority lanes are reserved for buses, taxis, and vehicles with special permits. Opening them to ordinary vehicles represents a structured derogation, not an informal exception. This measure aims to increase the capacity of the road network in critical directions and to channel the flow through routes parallel to the blocked Lariana.

Opening of the ZTL for traffic heading to Switzerland

The most relevant measure for cross-border workers is the opening of a corridor through the Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) of Como. Normally, the ZTL is closed to unauthorized vehicles, but during the construction phase, the Municipality has authorized passage for those heading to Switzerland, provided they follow a specific route: Via Rodari → Piazza Roma → Via Bianchi Giovini → Piazza Cavour → Via Fontana → Via Cairoli This route allows vehicles heading to the Swiss border crossings to cross Como without incurring penalties for violating the ZTL. The stated goal is to "ensure, compatibly with the necessary and unavoidable construction site, the greatest possible fluidity of traffic and contain the disruptions." The measures remain in effect until the completion of the works, the end of which has not yet been officially specified.

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.

Public transport as a structural alternative

If the construction site lasts more than two weeks, many cross-border commuters choose to abandon the car for the train. Como is served by two main stations (Como Lago and Como San Giovanni) with direct connections to Ticino via the regional Tilo trains. The journey Como–Chiasso–Lugano is covered by regular and reliable schedules, without traffic stress.

The cost of a weekly or monthly train subscription might be higher than fuel, but during the construction site, it represents an investment in punctuality. A cross-border commuter who takes 45 minutes instead of 20 is losing 25 minutes a day = 2 hours a week = 8 hours a month. If the gross hourly wage is higher than CHF 25, the cost of the delay exceeds CHF 200 monthly, making the train subscription economically convenient.

When does the construction site end? A missing detail

The source does not specify when the Municipality of Como plans to complete the work. This is a critical element for the cross-border commuter: if the construction site lasts a week, it is worth adapting temporarily; if it lasts months, it is necessary to consider structural solutions (partial teleworking, flexible hours, permanent public transport). The Municipality should clearly communicate this date, but for the moment, it remains uncertain.

Useful tools to protect your net income

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

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.

Public transport: the savings calculator

Trains Como–Chiasso–Lugano (operated by Tilo) guarantee fixed schedules and zero stress. The cost of a weekly pass is typically around CHF 60–80 for the Como–Chiasso zone. If your gross hourly wage is CHF 30 and you are losing 2 hours per week in traffic, the value of the lost time is CHF 60 per week, so the pass pays for itself.

Consult the available public transport solutions to understand the schedules and costs of your route.

The cost of delay in terms of salary

A 30-minute daily delay corresponds to 2.5 hours lost per week. If your cross-border contract does not provide for weekly overtime recovery, you are effectively giving away time (and earnings). A useful tool is the cross-border net salary calculator: by entering your gross monthly salary and the number of hours lost per week in traffic, you can see how much the lost time is really worth in CHF and EUR.

If you find that the cost of the delay is higher than the alternative cost (e.g., rail pass, negotiated telecommuting), the economic choice is clear.

Continuous monitoring of traffic at border crossings

During the construction period, wait times at the Chiasso border crossing and other access points to Ticino may increase. Regularly check the traffic history at the Ticino-Italy border crossings to understand if the bottleneck is shifting (e.g., from Como to the border) or if the Municipality's measures are actually working.

If the traffic at the border remains constant, it means that the alternative route in Como is working; if it increases, the problem has become systemic and it may be worth negotiating even more flexible hours with the employer or switching to a more permanent telecommuting solution for the construction period.

Source: comozero.it