GÖSCHENEN, Switzerland — April 3, 2026
The Gotthard road will be closed from Saturday through Tuesday due to avalanche risks, Swiss authorities announced Friday, as holiday traffic builds toward Easter weekend.
Motorists are advised to avoid the Gotthard-Passstrasse, which remains shut during the Easter period. The Swiss Touring Club (TCS) warned of potential 16-kilometer traffic jams on Good Friday and recommended drivers take the A13 route via the San-Bernardino-Tunnel instead. The TCS attributed the expected congestion to combined Easter travel demand and the Gotthardstrasse closure. "We expect more traffic jams on Good Friday," the organization stated, urging travelers to plan alternate routes. No estimated reopening time was provided beyond the Tuesday closure notice. The avalanche risk follows recent heavy snowfall in the Alpine region.
The Gotthard route, a key north-south transit corridor through the Swiss Alps, frequently experiences closures during winter months due to weather hazards.