As Easter approaches, the annual pilgrimage of travelers heading south through Switzerland has begun, bringing with it the familiar sight of long traffic jams, particularly at the Gotthard tunnel. On Friday, April 18, 2025, four reporters from Blick embarked on a live journey from Rüti in the canton of Zürich to Bellinzona, aiming to discover the quickest route to Ticino. The two teams, Team San Bernardino and Team Gotthard, set off early, foregoing the usual holiday festivities to tackle the notorious traffic.
Team San Bernardino reached their destination in an impressive 3 hours and 32 minutes, while Team Gotthard, unfortunately, succumbed to the infamous traffic jam near Wassen UR. They reported being stuck for two hours and ultimately decided to give up the race. "We are still not even in Wassen UR. Isabelle and I capitulate. We have no chance of winning," said Rebecca from Team Gotthard, capturing the frustration felt by many travelers.
As the day progressed, Team San Bernardino celebrated their victory, with Karin and Fabian exclaiming, "Ciao a tutti!" as they arrived in Bellinzona. Meanwhile, Team Gotthard remained stuck in Silenen, where the mood was decidedly less festive. "It’s absurd. We’ve been in traffic for two hours and are not moving. I just don’t understand why anyone would voluntarily put themselves through this," Isabelle lamented.
The traffic situation on Good Friday was indeed dire. Reports indicated that a 15-kilometer traffic jam had formed in front of the Gotthard north portal, leading to an additional travel time of two and a half hours. The Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) noted that this was not an unusual occurrence, as similar traffic jams have plagued the area during the Easter holiday for years. In fact, the TCS had predicted very heavy traffic for five consecutive days, advising travelers to consider alternative routes, such as the A13 via the San Bernardino tunnel.
By mid-afternoon, the situation had worsened, with Team Gotthard still struggling to make any progress. As they sat in traffic, they attempted to lighten the mood by playing a guessing game where Rebecca had to think of a famous football player, which Isabelle quickly deduced was Granit Xhaka. Their spirits were lifted momentarily, but the reality of the traffic jam soon set back in.
Meanwhile, Kurt, a local resident, chose to spend Good Friday at the Gotthard rest stop, where he distributed chocolate and Easter messages to weary travelers. "We Christians have a message that brings joy," he said, offering a moment of positivity amidst the chaos.
As the traffic jam continued to grow, the TCS reported that the line had reached 14 kilometers by noon, causing delays of up to two hours and ten minutes. The Federal Roads Office had anticipated such congestion, noting that the Gotthard Pass road would remain closed over the Easter period due to heavy traffic.
In addition to the traffic woes, a freight train fire in the old Gotthard tunnel added to the day's challenges. The fire broke out on Thursday, April 17, and while the train driver suffered minor smoke inhalation, the incident led to significant disruptions in rail traffic. SBB reported that trains running through the Gotthard Base Tunnel were unaffected, but passengers traveling between Göschenen and Airolo faced considerable delays.
Despite the chaos, the police managed the traffic flow effectively this year. Police Commander Thorsten Imhof expressed satisfaction with the traffic management strategies implemented, noting that there were no major incidents or disturbances, unlike in previous years when road users had resisted compliance with traffic measures. "This year, we have received no negative feedback from the traffic service, and our measures are widely accepted," he stated.
While the police reported maximum traffic jam lengths of 11 kilometers on Maundy Thursday and 15 kilometers on Good Friday, they attributed the relatively smooth management to improved cooperation between the police and traffic services. Special attention was given to the highway entrances at Wassen and Göschenen, which were closed during long traffic jams to prevent further complications.
As the day drew to a close, the situation at the Gotthard remained tense but manageable. Travelers were still facing delays, but the police reported no significant accidents, and the traffic was gradually beginning to clear. The TCS continued to recommend the San Bernardino route as a viable alternative for those hoping to avoid the worst of the congestion.
In summary, the Easter traffic jam at the Gotthard tunnel once again proved to be a formidable challenge for travelers. With teams racing against time, live reports capturing the frustrations of those stuck in traffic, and the added complication of a train fire, it was a day filled with both tension and moments of light-heartedness. As travelers continue to make their way to Ticino for the holiday, the hope remains that future journeys will be smoother, but for now, patience is key.
