St Gotthard, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The St Gotthard tunnel had a 10km traffic jam most of the day Friday and it is likely to be worse Saturday 18 July, say authorities. The expected heavy holiday traffic heading south was compounded by bad weather, which appears to have led many drivers to take the tunnel instead of the mountain pass. Updates from truckinfo
Bern with Geneva, La Sarraz, and St Gotthard, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Three Swiss sites have been declared European Heritage sites by the Swiss cultural affairs office, the country’s contribution to a French initiative signed by 18 European countries to designate an initial group of 60 sites which are important to European culture and heritage. The three are:
Saint Peter’s (St Pierre) cathedral in Geneva, for its links to religious reformer Jean Calvin
La Sarraz chateau in Vaud for its role as home to the International Congress for Modern Architecture from its founding in 1928 to 1959: the congress is considered the pioneer of modern urbanism in Europe
St Gotthard hospice in Ticino, on the mountain pass at 2,100 metres, which has for centuries served as a link and symbol of ties between northern and southern Europe.
Celebrations after boring through to link 2 tunnels, St Gotthard new rail line (photo: AlpTransit)
St Gotthard rail tunnel, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The miners digging the new St Gotthard train tunnel, which at 57 km will be the longest in the world, Tuesday 16 June celebrated the final boring of the 7.5 km Erstfeld-Amsteg leg, completing the eastern side of the tunneling project.
St Gotthard tunnel, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The road between Lucerne and Chiasso near and including the Gotthard tunnel is closed in both directions because of roadworks, during the nights of 15-19 June from 20:00 to 05:00. Trucks are being held on either side of the tunnel starting at 19:30 and cars are being sent on a detour over the pass.
Swiss road news updates:
Swiss skies are filled with jet streams, mostly heading south
Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - The traditional Easter weekend north-south highway traffic jams have started, but initial reports are that they are less onerous than some years, with a mere 3km backup at the St Gotthard tunnel, heading south, late Thursday afternoon, 9 April. Trains and planes nevertheless are preparing for heavy crowds.
TCS, the Swiss automobile club, offers up-to-the-minute traffic advisories. The CFF rail company strongly recommends reservations for any international travel. In Switzerland the company is adding 70,000 seats and 31 trains in the direction of Valais, Ticino and Graubuenden, reports TSR (Fre).
Geneva International Airport warns travellers to allow extra time for flights this weekend and to remember that parking lots could be short on space – best is to take public transport, the airport recommends, or use long-term parking lots. Ed. note: see the GenevaLunch Cheerful traveler’s guide: traveling to and from Geneva.
Updated 13:34 Gotthard, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The Gotthard rail tunnel was Wednesday between Airolo, Ticino and Erstfeld, Uri, due to avalanche concerns. Heavy snow fell in the area Tuesday 17 February, forcing CFF rail travelers heading for Bellinzona-Locarno-Lugano from Geneva and Lausanne to take the Brig-Domodossola-Centovalli line, reported TSR (Fre). There have been several rail line closures: check the CFF rail alerts.
Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The lower house of the Swiss parliament today voted in favour of a CHF19.1 billion credit to continue work on the Gotthard rail tunnel. Read more…
