In 1965 Parliament decides to build a road tunnel through the Gotthard. The vote in favour of mass motor transport is met with euphoria: the road ahead seems clear for the car - an affordable way for the masses to get around. Construction takes from 1970 to 1980. The project managers assume that the tunnel will primarily serve the increasing number of people who are on the move, but there is also a sharp rise in the volume of goods transported by road. From now on, road traffic through the Alps is a real competitor for rail.
« This tunnel is not a corridor for heavy goods traffic. »
Federal Councillor Hans Hürlimann, Speech on the opening of the Gotthard road tunnel, 05.09.1980