Major plan for Lake Como state road traffic: surgical solutions

Context

In brief

• Targeted interventions to improve traffic flow on the SS 340 Regina
• ANAS funding and coordination with municipalities
• Goal: reduce congestion and improve safety

Key facts

• What: Safety and functional improvement interventions
• When: Project presentation on May 4, 2026
• Where: State Road 340 Regina, Lake Como
• Who: Province of Como, municipalities of Colonno, Sala Comacina, Tremezzina, Menaggio and Carlazzo, ANAS
• Amount: Funding fully covered by ANAS

Today, at the headquarters of the Province of Como, an operational meeting was held between the President of the Province, the Mayors of Colonno, Sala Comacina, Tremezzina, Menaggio and Carlazzo, and ANAS technicians Pietro Gualandi, Lorenzo Giusta, and Enzo Nicotera, to present the projects planned by the recently signed convention for the improvement of the State Road 340 "Regina". The convention coordinates roles, competencies, and operational methods for the implementation of a series of localized safety and functional improvement interventions along one of the most delicate and busy stretches of Larian traffic.

The interventions illustrated today concern:

• In Colonno, adaptation and safety works, including the setback of elements that narrow the carriageway;
• In Sala Comacina, the setback of a stone fence along the state road;
• In Tremezzina, interventions to widen the road near the town hall of Lenno;
• In Menaggio, the widening of the "Vischi" hairpin bend and of via Don Moltrasio.

The request of the municipality of Carlazzo for technical support to improve safety, including the installation of pedestrian call traffic lights, was also discussed.

The projects presented today will now, where provided, enter a consultation phase with the private entities concerned by the interventions, who will be directly involved by the respective municipalities. The projects, moreover and where necessary, will be submitted to the Superintendence for the release of the necessary opinions. At the end of this shared path, for each individual intervention, the executive design and the start of the works will proceed.

Objectives and funding

All interventions will be fully funded by ANAS, which will assume the role of implementing body, taking care of the executive design, the awarding and execution of the works, as well as the final testing. The Province and the municipalities will ensure the availability of the areas and the completion of the authorization procedures, collaborating in the various operational phases.

The interventions have a dual objective: on the one hand, to structurally improve safety and traffic flow along the SS 340, and on the other hand, to mitigate the impact of traffic related to the Tremezzina Bypass construction site, reducing the interference between regular traffic and construction vehicles.

"The Province confirms its role of coordination and liaison between entities, favoring a synergistic action to address the critical issues of the territory's traffic and guarantee concrete responses to citizens, economic operators, and tourist flows," declared the President of the Province of Como, Fiorenzo Bongiasca. "Those who know the Regina know that its problems are not uniformly distributed over dozens of kilometers: they are concentrated in specific points, often just a few meters of carriageway that every day generate traffic jams, dangerous situations, and chain slowdowns. It is exactly there that we intervene. Not with large generic works, but with surgical solutions in the most critical nodes, an approach that requires technical competence and a thorough knowledge of the territory, also matured thanks to the direct contribution of the municipalities. It is particularly significant that these are interventions entirely funded by ANAS and built through shared work with the municipalities, which have contributed to identifying the priorities."

Operational details

Implications for cross-border workers

The planned interventions along the Strada Statale 340 Regina will have a significant impact on cross-border workers who daily travel this stretch of road to reach their workplaces in Switzerland. Improving traffic flow and reducing congestion will make the daily commute easier.

In particular, the widening of the carriageways and the removal of obstacles that narrow the road will improve road safety, reducing the risk of accidents. This is particularly important for cross-border workers who use this route to reach border crossings such as Brogeda and Gaggiolo.

Procedures and Timelines

The projects presented today will enter a consultation phase with the private entities affected by the interventions. This phase is crucial to ensure that all technical and regulatory aspects are adequately considered. Subsequently, the projects will be submitted to the Superintendence for the necessary opinions.

Once all the necessary authorizations have been obtained, the executive design and the start of the works will proceed. The exact timing of the interventions is not yet specified, but it is expected that the works could begin by the end of 2026, with a total duration that will depend on the complexity of each intervention.

Comparison with the Previous Situation

Before these interventions, the Strada Statale 340 Regina was characterized by numerous critical points, including bottlenecks in residential areas and intense traffic flows, exacerbated by the ongoing works of the Tremezzina Variant. The planned interventions aim to resolve these issues, improving safety and traffic flow.

With the start of the works, a reduction in traffic jams and greater safety for all road users is expected, particularly for cross-border workers who use this road to reach their workplaces in Switzerland.

Future Scenarios

If the interventions are carried out as planned, a significant reduction in travel times and greater road safety can be expected. This will have a positive impact on the quality of life for cross-border workers, making their daily commute between Italy and Switzerland easier.

Furthermore, the collaboration between the Province of Como, the affected municipalities, and ANAS represents a model of integrated management of road infrastructure, which could be replicated in other areas with similar issues.

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Key points

What to do for cross-border workers

For cross-border workers using the Strada Statale 340 Regina, it's important to monitor the progress of the works and any changes in traffic conditions. It is advisable to consult the websites of the municipalities involved and the Province of Como for updates on timelines and any detours.

Furthermore, it is essential to follow road signs and respect any speed limits or other restrictions imposed during the works. This will help ensure the safety of all road users and facilitate the execution of the works.

Useful tools

To best plan their movements, cross-border workers can use tools such as the route calculator and the traffic comparator available on the Frontaliere Ticino website. These tools allow you to monitor real-time traffic conditions and plan alternative routes if necessary.

Additionally, it is useful to consult the practical guides available on the site, such as the traffic guide and the work permit guide, to have updated and detailed information on all issues related to cross-border work.

Conclusion

The interventions planned along the Strada Statale 340 Regina represent an important step to improve the safety and fluidity of traffic, with a positive impact on cross-border workers who use this road to reach their workplaces in Switzerland. Monitoring the progress of the works and following road signs will be fundamental to ensure the safety of all road users and to facilitate the execution of the works.

Source: comozero.it