A13 closed How to get to the south now after the storms
After heavy storms, debris flows and flooding occurred in Misox GR. The Moesa river swept away a section of the A13. The TCS and SBB are assessing the traffic situation shortly before the summer vacations.
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- The damaged section of the A13 is already being repaired.
- The Gotthard remains the fastest connection to the south - there are alternative routes in Valais and over the Alpine passes.
- SBB is prepared for an increase in demand.
After the devastating storms at the weekend, clean-up work began on Monday in the Bünder Misox. Repair work on the A13 highway is also underway. The Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) assumes that the route should be partially passable in a month if the weather conditions are favorable.
Overloading possible on the Gotthard
This is good news for one of the most important routes on the north-south axis - not only for the start of the summer vacations, but also for freight traffic. As the TCS confirmed on request, around 15 percent of north-south transit is handled via the A13.
Freight traffic will now have to switch to the Gotthard route, which is likely to further exacerbate the traffic situation in view of the summer vacations. According to TCS, most trucks will not be able to drive over the pass and will therefore have to drive through the road tunnel to reach the southern side of the Alps.
For vacation travelers, the A2 remains the fastest connection to Ticino and Italy. However, due to the loss of the alternative route via San Bernardino, "even more traffic jams are to be expected, especially at weekends", TCS media spokesman Marco Wölfli told blue News.
Alternative routes via Valais and Alpine passes
The TCS sees the Lötschberg car transport as an alternative for travelers from northwestern Switzerland, Bern and the greater Zurich area. The car transport through the Simplon and the road over the Simplon are likely to be busier.
Travelers to Ticino also have the option of driving over the Nufenen Pass or the Oberalp and Lukmanier Passes. Almost all of the Alpine passes are now open and their status can be seen on the TCS website.
If you want to go to Italy, you can drive over the great Sankt Bernhard. The tunnel is subject to a toll. The pass road is open, but the crossing takes a little longer, as the TCS confirms.
The TCS advises you to inform yourself before departure and, if at all possible, to plan your journey outside the weekend traffic jam periods.
SBB is prepared
Many people are now likely to consider traveling by train. SBB is prepared for this on request. "We currently have enough seats on passenger services to carry additional passengers on existing trains," says spokeswoman Sabrina Schellenberg.
SBB can also provide the capacity needed in freight transport to respond to any increase in demand. Rail services to Ticino were not affected by the storms.
