Traffic jam in front of the Gotthard tunnel a week before the holidays
Published: Friday, Mar 22nd 2024, 18:10
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The notorious Easter traffic to the south began a week before the holidays this year. On Friday afternoon, there was a five-kilometer traffic jam in front of the Gotthard north portal. Traffic also came to a standstill on the south side near Italy.
One of the reasons for the crowds on the highway heading south is probably the start of the vacations in eleven German states this weekend, including the two neighboring ones: Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. In Switzerland, the two Basel regions start their spring vacation.
On Thursday, the Federal Roads Office (Astra) reminded the public that Easter traffic starts early on the Wednesday afternoon before the holidays - i.e. next week. From Easter Sunday onwards, traffic jams can be expected in the opposite direction.
Since Wednesday, the canton of Uri has taken measures to reduce traffic: the freeway entrances in Göschenen and Wassen in the southbound direction will be closed if the traffic jam is more than three kilometers long. This means that southbound travel from Amsteg will only be possible via the highway.
If traffic is backed up for eight kilometers, the speed on the freeway between Altdorf and Amsteg will be reduced to 80 km/h. This is intended to slow down traffic and reduce the risk of accidents. Because traffic jams on the Gotthard were constantly increasing, the canton of Uri launched a congestion management project last year together with Astra.
©Keystone/SDA
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