Gottardo: Delays, Costs, and Impact on Commuters (cross-border guide)
The second tunnel of the San Gottardo reopens after 11 months: how to make up for lost time and the consequences for cross-border workers.
Contesto
In brief Fresa Paulina reactivated at Airolo after 11 months of halt Delay of 6-8 months due to geological issues: now evaluating how to recover Last critical section of 400 meters still to be dug with special technique Opening expected by 2030 but with possible financial delays ## Key facts - What: Resumption of works on the second tunnel of the Gottardo with the fresa Paulina after geological halt - When: Halted in June 2024, works resumed in September 2024 - Where: Airolo (second tube), 5 km from the southern portal - Who: USTRA (Swiss Federal Office of Transport) and project manager Udo Oppliger - Technique: Slow excavation (60-80 cm/day) for broken rock vs 20 meters/fresa - Cost: Financial consequences still in evaluation - Deadline: Opening expected by 2030 The construction site of the second tunnel of the San Gottardo has resumed work after eleven months of halt, but the recovery of the lost time and the implications for the cross-border commuters of the Frontalier are still in the evaluation phase. The fresa Paulina, blocked in June 2024 due to 'significant geological difficulties', has resumed progress at Airolo, but the accumulated delay — estimated between 6 and 8 months — now requires a choice: to accelerate the works with financial consequences or to maintain the original schedule. The decision will be taken by the Ufficio federale dei trasporti svizzeri (USTRA), which has already anticipated the excavation of the most problematic section to avoid further delays. ### The unexpected geological issue The problem has concentrated in an area of 400 meters, at five kilometers from the southern portal, where the rock is 'gross deformations, broken rock and soft'. Here the progress is slowed down to 60-80 centimeters per day, against the 20 meters per day...
Dettagli operativi
Scenarios for Cross-Border Workers The resumption of work on the Gotthard opens up two main scenarios for cross-border workers: an optimistic one, with recovery of delays, and a pessimistic one, with further delays. Let's analyze them. #### Scenario 1: Partial Recovery of Delays If USTRA decides to accelerate the excavation of the critical section — using special techniques or additional resources — the tunnel could open by 2031. This would mean: - Reduction in travel times between Milan and Lugano from 2 to 1.5 hours (currently via the Gotthard railway), with direct benefits for commuters using the Brogeda or Chiasso crossings. - Less pressure on current crossings, but not an immediate solution: queues at Ponte Tresa or Gaggiolo could persist until completion. - Additional costs for cross-border workers: if acceleration requires extraordinary funding, these expenses could reflect — indirectly — in local taxes or pension contributions (AVS/LPP). #### Scenario 2: Structural Delay If USTRA opts for a more cautious approach, avoiding immediate additional costs, the tunnel could open only by 2032 or later. In this case: - Cross-border workers will continue to rely on current crossings, with waiting times that — according to USTRA's historical data — can exceed 2 hours during peak times (e.g., traffic crossing data 2023). - Impact on productivity: commuters working in Switzerland could lose daily work hours, with consequences for net income (calculable with the payslip simulator). - Risk of further delays: if new geological difficulties emerge, the 2030 target could become unrealistic. ### Comparison with the First Tunnel The first Gotthard tunnel, opened in 2016, reduced railway travel times, but the second tunnel — for road traffic — is crucial for cross-border work...
Punti chiave
What to do now: Practical steps for commuters Evaluating a Ticino job offer? Simulate your net payslip: enter gross salary, marital status and municipality for a detailed breakdown. Source: rsi.ch
Punti chiave
[{"q":"Why was the work on the second Gotthard tunnel delayed?","a":"Work was halted for 11 months due to 'major geological difficulties' in a 400-metre stretch in Airolo, 5 km from the south portal. The crushed and soft rock slowed the excavation to 60-80 cm/day, against the usual 20 meters, accumulating an estimated delay between 6 and 8 months."},{"q":"When is the second Gotthard tunnel scheduled to open for road traffic?","a":"The official opening of the second Gotthard tunnel is scheduled for 2030. However, due to accumulated delays due to geological issues (6-8 months) and financial uncertainties, USTRA is considering how to make up for lost time. It could slip to 2031 or later, depending on the decisions made."},{"q":"What are the consequences of the Gotthard delays for border workers working in Ticino?","a":"A delay in the opening of the tunnel means that border crossers will have to continue to depend on the current crossings, facing queues and waiting times that can exceed 2 hours. This leads to higher fuel costs, loss of productivity and an increase in work stress, already reported by 32% of border workers."},{"q":"Who will pay the additional costs due to the delays of the second Gotthard tunnel?","a":"The additional costs resulting from the delays are still being evaluated by the USTRA. Each month of delay can cost CHF 5-10 million in lost productivity for commuters. If it is decided to accelerate the work with extraordinary funding, these expenses could be indirectly reflected in local taxes or social security contributions, also burdening border workers."},{"q":"What is the special technique used to overcome the critical stretch of the Gotthard tunnel?","a":"In the critical stretch of 400 meters in Airolo, where the rock is crushed and soft, the traditiona...
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why was the work on the second Gotthard tunnel delayed?
- Work was halted for 11 months due to 'major geological difficulties' in a 400-metre stretch in Airolo, 5 km from the south portal. The crushed and soft rock slowed the excavation to 60-80 cm/day, against the usual 20 meters, accumulating an estimated delay between 6 and 8 months.
- When is the second Gotthard tunnel scheduled to open for road traffic?
- The official opening of the second Gotthard tunnel is scheduled for 2030. However, due to accumulated delays due to geological issues (6-8 months) and financial uncertainties, USTRA is considering how to make up for lost time. It could slip to 2031 or later, depending on the decisions made.
- What are the consequences of the Gotthard delays for border workers working in Ticino?
- A delay in the opening of the tunnel means that border crossers will have to continue to depend on the current crossings, facing queues and waiting times that can exceed 2 hours. This leads to higher fuel costs, loss of productivity and an increase in work stress, already reported by 32% of border workers.
- Who will pay the additional costs due to the delays of the second Gotthard tunnel?
- The additional costs resulting from the delays are still being evaluated by the USTRA. Each month of delay can cost CHF 5-10 million in lost productivity for commuters. If it is decided to accelerate the work with extraordinary funding, these expenses could be indirectly reflected in local taxes or social security contributions, also burdening border workers.
- What is the special technique used to overcome the critical stretch of the Gotthard tunnel?
- In the critical stretch of 400 meters in Airolo, where the rock is crushed and soft, the traditional technique is not enough. Progress is slowed to 60-80 cm per day. For this reason, the USTRA has anticipated the excavation of this problematic area with a 'special technique' to avoid further long waiting periods.