Swiss Gotthard Tunnel reopened

Swiss motorists can breathe a sigh of relief. At 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, the Gotthard Tunnel, which had been closed for five days due to damage to the ceiling structure, was reopened to traffic.

• Gotthard Tunnel in Switzerland open again
• Scheduled night closures will take place starting Sept. 18
• Alternative routes: San Bernardino Highway and Gotthard Pass

Since Friday evening the Gotthard Tunnel has been open again

This weekend, motorists in Switzerland could drive through the Gotthard Tunnel again. On Friday, September 15 at 8 pm, the tunnel was reopened to traffic.

On Sunday afternoon, September 10, the most important Swiss road tunnel leading to Italy had to be closed. Pieces of concrete that had come loose from the ceiling fell onto the roadway. A crack of 25 meters was discovered in an intermediate ceiling.

Repair work, which was in full swing, was completed in time for the weekend.

Night Closures in the Gotthard Tunnel until the beginning of October

Every year in spring and autumn, cleaning work is carried out in the Gotthard Tunnel. During some nights, the tunnel is closed for this purpose. According to information from the Swiss Federal Roads Office (ASTRA), these night closures will take place as planned, regardless of the current closure.

The following dates have been announced:

Night closures will not take place on weekends.

Alternative Routes for the Gotthard Tunnel

During the night closures, motorists will have to take wide-ranging detours via the Gotthard Pass or the A13 Chur - Bellinzona San Bernardino route. If the other bypasses are congested, the Simplon Pass may also be an alternative.

Important: The Gotthard Pass is not recommended as an alternative route for vehicles with camping trailers.

The Gotthard rail tunnel is also currently closed to passenger traffic following a freight train derailment in August. Trains are being redirected via a pass route.

Night closure for special transports

Independent of the maintenance work, the Gotthard Tunnel is closed once a week at night (usually from Wednesday to Thursday) between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. Special transports have free passage during this time.

Gotthard Tunnel - Main Toute through the Alpine Mountains

Many vacationers from south-western Germany who are on their way to Italy or southern France by car use the Gotthard Tunnel. The tunnel was built in 1980 and is 16.9 kilometres long. It is used by about six million vehicles every year and is prone to traffic jams. If congestion occurs, block clearance is in place.