Published on 29 October 2001

Closure of Gotthard tunnel: overcoming the problem of heavy goods traffic

Bern, 29.10.2001 - The Federal Department for Environment, Traffic, Energy and Communication (DETEC) has taken emergency measures to deal with the traffic problems created by the closure of the Gotthard tunnel. In particular, extra rail capacity is being made available for goods vehicles and cars. In addition, plans have been made to divert through traffic coming from Basle to Western Switzerland (Great St Bernhard, Simplon). Traffic will also be diverted around the Greater Zurich agglomeration. Federal President Moritz Leuenberger has assured the government of the Grisons that the canton will receive the full support of the Confederation. The Director of the Federal Office of Transport (FOT), Max Friedli, has discussed the current problem of heavy goods traffic while in Rome.