As construction sites are multiplying throughout Geneva, the streets of Switzerland’s second-largest city are continually congested, with residents and local businesses complaining about this “untenable situation.”
Even in the best of times, bottlenecks are a frequent occurrence in Geneva, with motorists spending, on average, 111 hours sitting in traffic during peak hours — according to the 2024 Traffic Index Ranking.
However, the situation has deteriorated considerably in recent weeks — traffic jams are a common sight not only during the morning and afternoon rush hours, but pretty much throughout the day.
“In forty years of living in Geneva, I have never seen anything like this!” one motorist complained to the local newspaper, Tribune de Genève (TDG).
What is going on?
There are dozens of active construction sites throughout the city and canton.
Consequently, a number of streets are either completely or partially closed to cars and buses, with traffic being diverted elsewhere, causing congestion and bottlenecks.
“The city centre is under pressure. There are massive traffic jams and delays,” Pierre Maudet, a deputy in charge of transport told the TDG.
“The impact is real for all road users — whether in cars, on public transport, on bicycles, or on foot, and particularly for emergency vehicles. I hear the frustration and weariness of the Genevans,” he added.
However, this problem will not be solved anytime soon because the biggest project, by Geneva Industrial Services (SIG) to install a new heating system, is expected to last at least until 2045.
“We must expect difficult years ahead,” Maudet acknowledged.
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‘A nightmare’
This is a huge headache for local businesses as well.
“It’s total chaos,” said Ivan Slatkine, director of the group representing Geneva’s businesses, adding that road closures and detours “prevent the proper functioning of the economy.”
“We accept that there are disruptions, but we want to feel that the situation is being managed,” Slatkine pointed out. “However, authorities tell us that there is nothing to be done about it. This is unacceptable.”
Local politicians agree.
“It’s a nightmare,” noted city councillor François Baertschi.
The deputies want the cantonal parliament to freeze the granting of new construction permits on city roads unless traffic flow is guaranteed and alternative routes are found.
Another measure they want to see implemented, is for companies carrying out the projects to “reduce the duration of the work as much as possible.”
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What plans do city officials have to relieve the situation?
Maudet said he is “looking at concrete ways” of prioritising traffic during the construction(s) phase.
The first step would be to give emergency vehicles, businesses, and public transportation priority during the construction work.
Private cars, including those used by cross-border commuters from France to travel to their jobs in Geneva, would be next.
“This isn’t an ideology; it’s a necessity. The network is saturated and we need to organise its use,” Maudet said.
And, he pointed out, “it’s important to be clear with the population that the coming months will be difficult. I ask all residents to be civil, especially toward traffic officers.”
