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Gotthard Tunnel Closures 2026: All Dates and Times

Complete calendar of planned closures and maintenance works at the Gotthard Tunnel in 2026. Updated with TCS maintenance windows. Don't get caught out.

✍️ Gotthard Live Team📅 4 April 2026📖 5 min read

The Gotthard Tunnel is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year — but it stops periodically for mandatory maintenance that keeps it safe for the 6 million vehicles that use it annually. Here is everything you need to know.

Why Does the Tunnel Close?

Every planned closure allows essential work:

  • Inspection and repair of concrete lining
  • Maintenance of ventilation systems (6 units)
  • LED lighting checks and replacement (7,000 lights)
  • Fire suppression system testing
  • Deep cleaning of roadway and tunnel walls

Types of Closure

Night Closures (most frequent)

  • When: Usually weekday nights, 22:00–05:00
  • Impact: Minimal (low night traffic)
  • Best alternative: San Bernardino, Verlad or simply wait

TCS Maintenance Windows (planned)

Longer interventions announced weeks or months in advance via ASTRA and TCS.

TypeTypical durationNotice
Night closure5–7 hours24–48 hours
Partial weekend8–16 hours1–2 weeks
Major maintenance1–3 days1–3 months

Unplanned Closures

Caused by accidents, technical faults or extreme weather. Duration unpredictable — from a few minutes to several hours.

How to Stay Informed

1. Gotthard Live 🔗 [www.gotthard-live.ch](https://www.gotthard-live.ch)

  • Automatic orange/red banner for imminent closures (within 7 days) or closures in progress
  • Status updated every 30 seconds

2. ASTRA — Federal Roads Office

  • Official calendar of planned closures
  • Most authoritative source for major maintenance

3. TCS Traffic Switzerland

  • Push notifications via app for sudden closures

What to Do During a Closure

Planned closure:

1. Plan your trip outside the maintenance window

2. Use San Bernardino as the main alternative (A13, Bellinzona ↔ Splügen)

3. Consider the Verlad — active even during short road tunnel closures

Sudden/unplanned closure:

1. Check Gotthard Live for the estimated reopening time

2. If > 45 min: navigate via San Bernardino

3. If < 30 min: consider waiting at a service area

4. Check before diverting — unplanned closures often reopen sooner than expected

Closure vs. Queue: What's the Difference?

ClosureQueue
Tunnel accessible❌ No✅ Yes (slowly)
SolutionAlternatives onlyWait or alternatives
DurationUsually definedVariable
Shown on Gotthard Live✅ Yes (prominent banner)✅ Yes (km and minutes)
Advance warning✅ Yes (planned)❌ No

Gotthard Live always shows a coloured banner when a closure is in progress or expected within 7 hours. Always check before you leave. 🚦

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