GÖSCHENEN, Switzerland — April 2, 2026
The Gotthard Pass road will remain closed through Easter weekend due to avalanche risks, causing severe traffic congestion with 15-kilometer queues forming at the tunnel’s north portal, Swiss authorities reported Thursday.
Traffic jams stretched 13 kilometers toward the south portal of the Gotthard road tunnel by Thursday evening, with drivers facing waits exceeding two hours to pass through the 17-kilometer passage. The Swiss Touring Club (TCS) warned that delays could worsen, forecasting 22-kilometer backups and five-hour waits at the north portal by Good Friday. The Gotthardstrasse closure between Amsteg and Wassen, effective Saturday through Tuesday, has diverted holiday traffic to alternate routes. The TCS advised motorists heading south to use the A13 highway via the San Bernardino Tunnel instead. Temporary shutdowns compounded delays after a breakdown vehicle blocked both tunnel directions earlier Thursday. Southbound congestion extended two kilometers between Quinto TI and Airolo, with similar disruptions expected to escalate through the weekend.
The Gotthard Tunnel, a critical Alpine transit route, frequently experiences heavy congestion during holiday periods. Authorities regularly issue alternate route advisories to manage seasonal traffic surges.