The government has supported plans to build a second road tunnel through the Gotthard to compensate for the temporary closure of the first one for renovation. It is also seeking measures to prevent a boost in capacity.
Following consultation with political parties, organisations and cantonal authorities, the cabinet decided on Friday to uphold a proposal presented in June last year.
The plan foresees the construction of a separate, parallel tube, but traffic in both tunnels would remain restricted to a single lane, even during the particularly busy holiday season in Europe.
In the bill it is sending to parliament, the cabinet also proposes changes to the law limiting the number of lorries allowed into the tunnels at one time for safety reasons. The introduction of a toll system for vehicles transiting the main north-south thoroughfare was ruled out.
«The legal amendments ensure that a constitutional article aimed at protecting the alpine environment will be respected,» the Federal Road Authorities said.
In 1994 voters approved a proposal to cap alpine transit traffic. Subsequent attempts to ease regulations were rejected by both parliament and voters.
The statement reiterates that the proposed option guarantees road access to and from the southern Ticino region and central Switzerland.
Renovation work is expected to end in 2030 and to start in 2020 at the earliest.
Once operational, the two-tube tunnel traffic system is also expected to increase safety, reducing the threat of collisions.
A serious accident followed by a fire in the tunnel killed 11 people in 2001.
Environment
The influential Association of Road Hauliers has welcomed the government decision. It said any other option would have been unrealistic.
However, the environmental Alpine Initiative group has accused the cabinet of sabotaging efforts to put road traffic onto rail.
«We hope parliament will reject the government bill,» said Fabio Pedrino, president of the pressure group, in a statement.
He called on the cabinet to reconsider alternative options to repair the existing Gotthard tunnel, which opened more than 30 years ago, without constructing an additional one.
The Alpine Initiative, which is fighting against an increase in road traffic, also says the government option would cost taxpayers up to CHF4.4 billion ($4.7 billion) – 60 per cent more than the plans to upgrade the road-to-rail shuttle through the Gotthard during the renovation work.
The pressure group and green and centre-left parties have announced they will oppose the cabinet proposal and challenge any parliamentary decision backing the government by forcing a nationwide vote.