When exactly will the Varese bracelet reopen?

The reopening is scheduled for mid-September, coinciding with the reopening of schools in Lombardy (14 September for primary and secondary schools, 7 September for children). The decision was taken by the Prefecture to avoid the traffic paralysis that would have been repeated in September with the return of ordinary traffic.

Will the work be fully completed in mid-September?

No. The work of Anas will continue until March 2027. The reopening concerns only the lanes; the construction sites will continue on the edge of the road where sound-absorbing acoustic barriers and safety barriers are installed. Work will be interrupted during public holidays.

Will I still have tails on the strap after reopening?

Initially, the reopening will result in a settling of traffic flows, particularly in the first two-three weeks of September. Subsequently, the times should stabilize towards normal. However, construction sites and possible slowdowns due to ongoing work will remain visible until March 2027.

How to monitor the traffic status before leaving for Varese?

You can consult the official Anas portals and real-time navigation apps (Google Maps, Waze), which constantly update the conditions of the strap and alternative roads. Check the conditions at least 10-15 minutes before departure to plan the times correctly.

If the brace stays closed for holidays, how do I get to my job?

During the festive periods (Christmas, Easter, commanded holidays), work may resume if scheduled. You can still use the alternative routes (Via Gasparotto, Viale Europa, Viale Europa junction), with the knowledge that the times will be longer (15-20 additional minutes compared to ordinary times).

Varese, brace reopens in mid-September: the details (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 27 August 2026

Varese highway exit with traffic during roadworks, view from Lombardy toward Ticino

The Raccordo Gazzada-Varese motorway link reopens in mid-September. Anas works completed at 32%, end of March 2027. Impact on cross-border commuting.

Context

In a nutshell

The Varese brace reopens in both directions in mid-September
Anas works completed at 32%, conclusion in March 2027
From 30 June queues on Via Gasparotto and Viale Europa
Prefecture decision to avoid traffic paralysis when returning to school

Key facts

What: Reopening of the Gazzada-Varese connection in both directions
When: Mid-September (post-September 14 school reopening)
Where: Varese, Lombardy
Who: Prefecture, Anas, Municipality of Varese
Percentage of work: 32% completed
End of works: March 2027
Initial closure: 30 June 2026

The motorway link of the Gazzada-Varese Connection, the main access artery to the Lombard city, will have to reopen in both directions in mid-September, despite the works of Anas not being completed. The decision was taken at the Prefecture's table to avoid road paralysis at the time of the reopening of schools, when the city will return to full capacity with increased traffic flows. Primary and secondary schools in Lombardy resume on Monday 14 September, while kindergartens advance to 7 September.

Since 30 June, the closure of the lane in the direction of the centre has forced motorists to take alternative routes, in particular via Gasparotto and Viale Europa, creating long queues already in the last days of June and throughout the month of July. The Municipality of Varese has expressly requested the reopening of the brace

Operational details

Those who travel daily from the Canton of Ticino to Varese for work reasons know well how crucial the Gazzada-Varese Connection is. During the closure period (from 30 June), traffic entering the city experienced a significant spike on the alternative routes, with particularly intense queues on Via Gasparotto and Viale Europa — two arteries already congested during peak hours. The reopening in mid-September will provide an immediate respite, but the picture remains complex until March 2027, when the works will be completed.

During the month of August, with the summer period and holidaymakers out of town, traffic on Via Gasparotto remained manageable compared to the first weeks of closure. With the return of production activities and the reopening of schools, 14 September represents a critical turning point. If the bridge were not reopened, the scenarios would be characterised by frequent queues on Via Gasparotto (the main forced alternative), slowdowns on Viale Europa and connections to the centre, as well as a significant increase in travel times for those arriving from the A8.

What are the practical consequences

For the border worker working in Varese, the reopening means first of all a dramatic reduction in travel time entering the city. The queues that already occurred at the end of June and July on the alternative routes involved delays of 15-20 minutes compared to standard times. The reopening of the

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Key points

How to plan your travels

If you work in Varese and reside in Ticino, it is useful to plan departure times strategically, especially in the first week after reopening (mid-September). Although the bridge is reopened, the first period will see an increase in traffic due to the adaptation of flows and the still visible presence of construction sites. Here are some concrete operational tips:

Monitor traffic status in real time via Anas portals and navigation apps to gauge daily travel times. Plan an early departure in the first two weeks after reopening (mid to late September), when flows will stabilize in the following days. Check for any night closures that Anas may schedule even after reopening, to avoid surprises when traveling at night.

Key deadlines to remember

On 7 September they mark the reopening of kindergartens in Lombardy. September 14 is the crucial date: the resumption of primary and secondary school, a point of maximum expected influx on all roads in the Varese area. The official reopening of the brace in both directions is scheduled for mid-September. March 2027 is the deadline for the completion of the Anas works on the fitting.

Using la mappa dei valichi helps you monitor travel times to your workplace, considering possible residual brace slowdowns during the first month of

First day as a cross-border worker? Our practical guide walks you from cantonal registration to your first paycheck.

Source: varesenoi.it

Frequently Asked Questions

When exactly will the Varese bracelet reopen?: The reopening is scheduled for mid-September, coinciding with the reopening of schools in Lombardy (14 September for primary and secondary schools, 7 September for children). The decision was taken by the Prefecture to avoid the traffic paralysis that would have been repeated in September with the return of ordinary traffic.
Will the work be fully completed in mid-September?: No. The work of Anas will continue until March 2027. The reopening concerns only the lanes; the construction sites will continue on the edge of the road where sound-absorbing acoustic barriers and safety barriers are installed. Work will be interrupted during public holidays.
Will I still have tails on the strap after reopening?: Initially, the reopening will result in a settling of traffic flows, particularly in the first two-three weeks of September. Subsequently, the times should stabilize towards normal. However, construction sites and possible slowdowns due to ongoing work will remain visible until March 2027.
How to monitor the traffic status before leaving for Varese?: You can consult the official Anas portals and real-time navigation apps (Google Maps, Waze), which constantly update the conditions of the strap and alternative roads. Check the conditions at least 10-15 minutes before departure to plan the times correctly.
If the brace stays closed for holidays, how do I get to my job?: During the festive periods (Christmas, Easter, commanded holidays), work may resume if scheduled. You can still use the alternative routes (Via Gasparotto, Viale Europa, Viale Europa junction), with the knowledge that the times will be longer (15-20 additional minutes compared to ordinary times).