Even as the region settles into the quiet of nighttime, the A9 motorway between Como Centro and Chiasso is far from asleep—it’s undergoing a full transformation under the stars.
This vital stretch, typically lively with nearly 30,000 vehicles passing in each direction daily, is now closed for significant maintenance, promising a safer and smoother future. Temporary traffic signals and a 300m lane closure have recently been used in essential overnight works on the A9, ensuring both workforce and road user safety. Until 06:00 on January 25, 2026, this gateway between Italy and Switzerland—usually bustling with trucks carrying goods to northern Europe and travelers seeking Milan’s sights—will see only the hum of construction equipment and the glow of work lights.
Drivers approaching this zone are being guided to choose alternate routes, with clear signs pointing to the best exits and entries. While travelers might sigh at the detours, there’s an underlying excitement: the A9 is getting an upgrade worthy of its importance.
Clear signs steer drivers along alternate routes—detours today, but anticipation is building for the revitalized gateway ahead.
Thanks to over EUR 60 million in investment, this makeover isn’t just a surface facelift. Autostrade per l’Italia, overseeing the project, has mapped out a two-phase schedule—spring and autumn—helping to keep peak summer and winter holiday periods free for regular traffic, as no one wants their gelato to melt in traffic or skis to gather dust.
Structural renewal runs deep, literally. The tunnels—Monte Olimpino, Monte Quarcino, Terrazze, Villa Maria, and San Fermo—are being overhauled, boasting new waterproofing, protective concrete shells, and reinforced frames.
Advanced technology, like georadar and ultrasound tomography, helps crews pinpoint weak spots, making areas safer and extending the lifespan of these passages by half a century. The San Fermo Nord tunnel’s recent reopening was a major milestone, greeted with more cheer than a roadside espresso.
Up above, the viaducts—those sweeping bridges—like the Fati viaduct, aren’t being left out. Their girders are getting stronger, and their roadbeds smoother.
Safety and noise are also priorities: over 8.5 kilometers of safety barriers and 2 kilometers of noise barriers are being installed or upgraded, bringing peace not just to drivers, but to the neighbors nearby.
Every night brings progress, as the A9 quietly evolves, ensuring its place as a significant route for generations to come.
