The Swiss Road Transport Association (Astag), after a detailed analysis of the situation relating to road mobility, formulates some requests for traffic management. “The closure of the A13 motorway will significantly affect both local mobility and transit through San Bernardino. However, a comprehensive analysis of the situation is currently lacking,” reads a press release. According to information from the Federal Roads Office (Ustra), the damage assessment has not yet been completed due to weather conditions and dangerous terrain. “The first step in being able to manage the exceptional situation is therefore a detailed assessment on site. Subsequently, immediate and effective measures will be inevitable. However, USTRA demonstrated during the Covid-19 pandemic and during the total closure of the Gotthard in September 2023 that crisis management is working very well. Astag therefore has full confidence in the competent authorities of the Confederation, the cantons and the municipalities.”
Among the proposals formulated, Astag in particular requests that local transport of goods be guaranteed, possibly with the support of the army; international coordination for the diversion of freight traffic towards France and Austria; as well as the increase in the capacity of the A2 (along the Gotthard) and the examination of a possible temporary suspension of the night and Sunday traffic ban. “Effective traffic management by the Confederation and adequate solidarity of the cantons involved along the open transit routes will be necessary”, reads the note.
Furthermore, according to Astag, it is essential to transfer as many people as possible to rail transport. “Especially during the upcoming holiday period, this could relieve the main road arteries. In any case, it is necessary to ensure that there is sufficient capacity available for logistics during the closure. Only in this way can supply and disposal be maintained throughout Switzerland – and especially in Ticino – without interruptions and with the usual quality”, continues the press release.
