Long Hours of Waiting at the North Portal of the San Gottardo
Traffic heading south caused significant disruptions to the San Gottardo in the afternoon of Holy Thursday, with a 15-kilometer queue at the north portal and waiting times of up to two and a half hours.
Contesto
Traffic congestion at the north portal of the San Gottardo tunnel On Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026, it was a day of strong congestion for those who had to cross the San Gottardo in the southern direction. The queue at the north portal of the San Gottardo tunnel, in Göschenen, reached 15 kilometers at 2:30 pm. Travel times on the A2 highway between Erstfeld and Göschenen can take up to two and a half hours. The Swiss Touring Club (TCS) reported that the traffic was also congested at the south portal, between Quinto and Airolo, with a column of two kilometers. According to estimates by the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport and Environment (FI-TRA-AMT), heavy traffic on the San Gottardo tunnel increases by 15% every year. This is due to the growing demand for travelers and planned maintenance work, such as the "San Gottardo 2.0" project, which provides for the modernization of the tunnel and the creation of new infrastructure. To counter traffic, the Swiss government has introduced the "sin tax" a fee of 2 CHF (1.9 EUR) per kilometer traveled with heavy vehicles. This measure was adopted for 2025 and will be evaluated annually until 2030. According to estimates, the sin tax could generate annual revenues of 20 million CHF (19 million EUR). Traffic on the San Gottardo tunnel is a serious problem for Ticino residents. Those who live in Bellinzona or Lugano must face long traffic hours to reach the larger cities of the country. In addition, heavy traffic can cause damage to infrastructure and increase maintenance costs. Here are some statistics on traffic times on the San Gottardo tunnel: Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026: + 2:30 pm: 15-kilometer queue at the north portal + 4:00 pm: 10-kilometer queue at the south portal Friday, April 3, 2026: + 8:00 am:...
Dettagli operativi
Delays at the North Portal of the San Gottardo The intense traffic at the San Gottardo is a recurring phenomenon, especially during holidays and vacation periods. This year, the situation was exacerbated by the simultaneous presence of various road maintenance and work along the A2 highway. According to TCS, the recommended alternative routes are: The detour via the San Bernardino tunnel on the A13 highway; The A9 highway via Sempione or Gran San Bernardo; The Lötschberg car transport service. #### Data and Statistics 15 kilometers of tailback at the north portal of the San Gottardo; Delays of up to 2 hours and 30 minutes; 2 kilometers of tailback at the south portal. Current Situation On the evening of Friday, March 31, the tailback at the north portal of the San Gottardo reached 15 kilometers, with delays of up to 2 hours and 30 minutes. The situation was worsened by the closure of one of the two lanes of the A2 highway, which reduced the tunnel's crossing capacity. The demand for passage at the San Gottardo increased by 20% compared to the same period last year, according to TCS data. This increase is due to the simultaneous presence of various holidays and vacation periods, such as Easter and spring break.Alternative Routes TCS recommends using alternative routes to avoid delays at the San Gottardo. Among these, the detour via the San Bernardino tunnel on the A13 highway is one of the most popular options. This route allows you to reach western Switzerland without having to cross the San Gottardo tunnel. However, even this route has been congested due to intense traffic. According to TCS data, the tailback on the A13 reached 5 kilometers on the evening of Friday, March 31. On-Site Situation The situation on site was described by a driver who crossed...
Punti chiave
Wait Times at the Nord Portal of the San Gottardo: Tips to Reduce Waiting Times For frequent travelers and border crossers, planning your trip in advance is crucial. Here are some tips to reduce waiting times at the Nord Portal of the San Gottardo. #### What to Do to Reduce Waiting Times 1. Check Traffic Updates Before Departure: Use the TCS website for up-to-date traffic information and plan your trip based on road conditions. For example, if traffic is heavy, consider departing a bit later or using an alternative route. 2. Consider Alternative Routes: The A13 and A9 are two alternative routes to reach the Nord Portal of the San Gottardo. These routes may be longer, but they can help avoid congested traffic. 3. Use the Lötschberg Car Transport Service: If you are a frequent traveler or border crosser, you may consider using the Lötschberg car transport service. This service can help reduce waiting times and avoid congested traffic. 4. Depart During Less Congested Hours: If possible, plan your trip to avoid peak hours (7-9 am and 4-6 pm). This can help reduce waiting times and avoid congested traffic. #### Useful Tools - TCS website for up-to-date traffic information: www.tcs.ch - Real-time traffic navigation app: Google Maps, Waze - Calculator for trip expenses: www.bfs.admin.ch #### Concrete Examples For example, if we depart from Bellinzona to the Nord Portal of the San Gottardo, the travel time can vary significantly depending on road conditions. According to TCS data, travel time can range from 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. | Time | Travel Time | | --- | --- | | 7:00 | 45 minutes | | 8:00 | 30 minutes | | 16:00 | 60 minutes | | 17:00 | 45 minutes | #### Regulations and Rules The Federal Traffic Law (LTF) of December 7, 1985 establishes the rules...