Federal government spent CHF1.26 billion maintaining national roads

Switzerland’s federal government spent about CHF1.26 billion maintaining the national road network last year, which remains in stable condition, SRF reported, citing the Federal Roads Office (ASTRA).

About 91 per cent of the 2,250-kilometre network’s inspected infrastructure was in at least acceptable condition. It received an overall score of 1.81 on a scale from 1, meaning good, to 5, meaning alarming. The score was unchanged from the previous year.

Road surfaces performed best, with a score of 1.29; about 97 per cent were in good or moderate condition. More than 17,000 structures, including bridges and galleries, scored 1.95, while tunnels scored 2.09.

Three structures were rated in poor condition: the Solis Tunnel and Passmal Tunnel in Graubünden, and the Schwarzwald Tunnel in Basel-Stadt. ASTRA said repairs were under way or planned.

Many sections of the network are several decades old and increasingly require extensive repairs, while traffic is also growing. ASTRA said this makes maintenance challenging because even minor restrictions can cause congestion. It is grouping and scheduling work to limit disruption. Measures include using the Astra Bridge; additional tunnel tubes can also help keep traffic moving during major renovations. The Gubrist Tunnel in the canton of Zurich is one example.

ASTRA also cited rising investment needs for the information technology and operational technology systems used for road equipment and traffic and operations management. These systems can make existing infrastructure more efficient and safer to use, but have relatively short service lives, requiring cost-efficient solutions for their regular maintenance and replacement.

For 2026 to 2030, the federal government plans to spend an average of CHF1.19 billion a year on preserving the network’s value. The funding comes entirely from transport-user charges earmarked for that purpose.