There is broad agreement on the facts. In 2025, the Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) recorded 68,040 hours of traffic congestion on national highways. That is about 20 percent more than the previous year. About 89 percent of this is due to congestion, not construction sites. Vehicle mileage, on the other hand, rose only slightly, meaning the network is operating at capacity. The controversy, therefore, lies not in the diagnosis but in the solution.
Two associations, two opposing conclusions
strasseschweiz interprets the figures as evidence of an urgent need for expansion. The association calls for rapid and targeted expansions of the national highways. Otherwise, the road lobby warns, there is a risk of increased detour traffic in villages and urban areas.
The VCS draws the opposite conclusion from the same figures. The left-wing and green camp counters that more capacity will generate more traffic in the long term. It therefore advocates for public transportation, bike paths, and sidewalks.
What the 2024 Voter “No” Vote Means Legally
The dispute touches on a core issue of constitutional law. On November 24, 2024, voters rejected the “2023 Expansion Phase.” Approximately 52.7 percent voted “no” on this federal resolution. This effectively rejected a specific package of six projects totaling 4.9 billion francs from the Road Fund. However, a “no” vote in a referendum applies only to the specific proposal in question. From a formal legal standpoint, it does not constitute a permanent ban on new or modified projects.
There is also a second, more significant point. The Federal Constitution obligates the federal government to build and operate an efficient national highway network. This mandate remains in effect regardless of the 2024 referendum result. Transportation Minister Albert Rösti already pointed this out following the “no” vote. New proposals are therefore legally permissible and, in some cases, even necessary.
Politically, however, a swift resumption remains a delicate matter. Anyone who resubmits projects that were narrowly rejected risks being accused of “forcing the issue.” This objection, however, is political rather than legal in nature. Whether something is legally permissible and politically acceptable are thus two different matters.
“Transport ’45” Is Just Getting Started
The federal government is consolidating the next expansion phases into the “Transport ’45” project. On June 19, 2026, the Federal Council opened the consultation process on this matter. This phase is for consultation, not for decision-making. Only afterward will Parliament—and, if necessary, the electorate once again—make a decision. The VCS therefore submitted its appeal, “No Means No,” at an early stage. Over 25,300 signatures are intended to increase political pressure.
The Real Conflict Lies in Values
The core of the dispute lies not in the numbers, but in values. Both sides acknowledge the traffic congestion on national highways. However, they draw different conclusions regarding transportation policy. One side wants to accommodate the projected growth by increasing capacity. The other wants to curb it by shifting traffic off the roads. Whether additional capacity itself generates new traffic is empirically disputed. The question is therefore decided by politics, not by technology.
Disclosure: Our author, Michael Gehrken, serves as president of L‑drive Switzerland and is a board member of strasseschweiz.
On the future of mobility
Special Feature: “Transport ’45”
What does the 2024 referendum “no” vote mean for highway expansion?
The “no” vote rejected a specific financing package for six projects. New or revised projects remain legally permissible because the constitutional mandate still stands.
How many hours of traffic congestion were there in 2025?
According to ASTRA, there were 68,040 hours of traffic congestion. That is about 20 percent more than the previous year, primarily due to overcapacity.
Why do strasseschweiz and the VCS disagree?
Both acknowledge the traffic congestion problem. strasseschweiz wants to respond with expansion, while the VCS advocates shifting to public transit, bicycles, and walking.
What is “Transport ’45” and what is the status of the project?
“Transport ’45” brings together the federal government’s next infrastructure steps. The consultation process has been underway since June 19, 2026; a decision is pending.
