From July to October, Saturday and Sunday between 9 AM and 9 PM (early closing at 8 PM from September), the special Airolo/Passes "CUPRA" lane is open from the Quinto exit (nr. 42) to the Airolo exit (nr. 41). Airolo and the Gotthard and Nufenen passes can be reached quickly via the CUPRA lane without leaving the highway and without getting stuck in traffic jams.
Latest news
The published project was approved at the end of July 2023. The detailed projects are currently being drawn up. In the meantime, FEDRO has decided to set up an essential but functional CUPRA on weekends in summer 2023. This will temporarily relieve the residents of Ambrì, Piotta and Airolo from transit traffic.
Construction period
2024-2026
What will be built?
A special lane on the highway leading directly from Varenzo to the Airolo exit and to the Gotthard and Nufenen passes, bypassing the Stalvedro service area to prevent traffic from intersecting with the highway entrances and exits to the service area.
Purpose
The main objectives of the CUPRA for northbound road users are the following:
- to shorten journey times on the Quinto-Airolo section for vehicles wishing to drive over the pass road
- a drastic reduction in traffic congestion on the cantonal road in a south-north direction
- to facilitate access to the pass road as an alternative to the tunnel
- increase safety in general, but especially for the local population using the cantonal road
Contents of the project
The CUPRA project envisages converting the emergency lane into a traffic lane, but only in the event of congestion. It will be activated via clearly visible LED signaling, which will indicate to road users that they can get to Airolo quickly and without leaving the freeway. The special CUPRA lane is around 7 kilometers long and extends on the emergency lane directly from the Quinto tunnel exit to the Airolo exit. In order to guarantee the continuity of the CUPRA lane, a bypass of the Stalvedro service area must be planned by creating a new connecting road in one direction only. To this end, changes must be made to some structures and the access road for suppliers must be relocated. The functionality of the Stalvedro service area and access from the recreational area to the floodplain of the River Ticino will be maintained.
Traffic control
Most of the structures in the CUPRA project will be built next to the highway axis. These new structures can therefore be built without major traffic disruptions. In principle, the construction site will only take up the emergency lane over a length of 2 to 3 kilometers. Access to the Stalvedro service area and use of the car and truck parking lots will continue to be possible at all times. Particular attention will be paid to the heavy summer traffic in order to minimize possible disruption for users of the freeway and the service area.
Costs
The costs of the publicly launched CUPRA project amount to around 8 million Swiss francs. The costs will be borne in full by the federal government.