Traffic jams, accidents and overload: politicians are looking for the Gotthard plan

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There is pasta and a broken train on the train tracks, and parts of the tunnel ceiling are crumbling onto the street. That is why it is currently not possible for private individuals to come via the Gotthard.

Now politicians are taking action. As a resident of Uri, State Councilor Josef Dittli (66) witnessed the two incidents on the Gotthard up close. “I had the impression that the authorities were surprised that something like this could happen. They weren’t particularly well prepared.”

For the future, Dittli advocates a concept of how rail and car traffic will continue to function in the event of such incidents. He sees various starting points for this.

Relieve the tunnel pressure

“The mountain section of the railway line must not be demolished,” he demands. “These efforts already existed during my time on the governing council.” It is currently becoming clear how important the mountain route still is. “Maintenance should therefore not be neglected.”

Dittli also sees potential for improvement in the field of car traffic. “The pass road is closed preventively too often. That is not necessary,” he says. “If the pass road is open, we can relieve the pressure on the tunnel.”

Brenner as an alternative route?

Additional pass roads could be used for this – not only in Switzerland. “You should check whether international alternative routes, for example via the Brenner Pass, can also be specified as an alternative route.” To this end, greater use should be made of national border crossings such as the Simplon or the San Bernardino Pass. Yet it is also clear to Dittli: “You have to build with the bricks you have.” There are also no major alternative routes on the Gotthard.

This makes the second tube, currently under construction, all the more important. “We might even be able to speed up construction.” He wants the Federal Council to answer these questions. “The fact that two out of three tunnel tubes are now blocked is an unfortunate coincidence. Now we have to look at how we can better distribute traffic in the future.”

Dosage at the limit

Heidi Z’graggen (57, center), Uri’s second State Councilor, also asked questions to the Federal Council. She argues for an interpretation of how he wants to guarantee safety on the transit axis, she tells SRF. “It is also about whether there are options for dosing at the borders of cars and trucks.” So only a certain number of cars may be allowed at the border.

SVP Council Member Thomas Hurter (59) is pursuing a different idea. He proposes to extend the A13 over the San Bernardino – as an alternative route to the closed road tunnel. (brother)

Source:Blick