Gotthard Tunnel gridlock turns 20-minute drive into hours of delays

Heavy traffic jammed the Gotthard Road Tunnel on Saturday, causing long delays for drivers. Queues stretched for 15 kilometres at the southern entrance after 4 p.m. as vehicles piled up on the A2 motorway between Biasca and Airolo in Ticino.

The congestion was mainly caused by an influx of cars from Ticino and Italy. Many travellers faced an extra two and a half hours of travel time due to the gridlock. Normally, the 17-kilometre tunnel takes just 15 to 20 minutes to pass through by car.

The Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) shared updates about the delays on X. While road traffic struggled, the Gotthard Base Tunnel for trains continued to operate smoothly, with journeys taking around 17 minutes.

The backlog affected thousands of drivers heading through the key Alpine route. Under normal conditions, the tunnel is one of the fastest ways to cross the Swiss Alps by road. Saturday's delays, however, turned a short trip into a lengthy wait.