Massive changes to roads in Zug's mountain area

The closure of the Schmittli-Nidfuren cantonal road section for renovation work will begin on 17 January and will last until the summer of 2023. We provide some answers to the most important questions regarding this.

2.1 kilometres is a relatively short distance. In the present case, however, this is a small number with enormous implications. The road section between the Schmittli (Neuägeri) and the Nidfuren (below Edlibach) is 2.1 kilometres long. And this stretch has been keeping various offices busy for some years now, as this part of the transport connection between Zug's mountain and valley communities needs to be renovated. Preparatory work was carried out last year, and the approximately 18-month closure with extensive diversions is now imminent.

What is it all about?
The Brügglitobel Bridge must be replaced. In addition, some parts of the roadway will be widened by 1.5 to 3 metres and be supplemented by bike lanes on both sides. Because the terrain is sloping, numerous supporting structures are necessary, and the curves in the road need to be redesigned according to today's standards – and, of course, a new surface will be laid.

Has the bad weather in 2021 affected the planning?
Only slightly. The preparatory work was disrupted by the flooding in the Schmittli at the end of July. In addition, additional measures such as reinforcements and slope protection were taken on parts of the diversion routes, according to the Building Directorate.

How long will the road be closed?
The work will begin on 17 January, and is expected to last until August 2023, according to the cantonal building directorate (Baudirektion).

How much will it cost?
The Cantonal Council (Kantonsrat) approved a loan of  CHF 40 million in 2017.

How will the traffic be diverted?
Uphill via Allenwinden, downhill via the Cholrain and Edlibach. One-way traffic will apply from Allenwinden at the Schmittli, as well as in Cholrain. Residents of Allenwinden, as well as the companies based there, will receive an exemption permit according to the building directorate: they can drive to their village via the Schmittli. The buses of line 1 from Zug to Oberägeri and back will run through Allenwinden in both directions. This is tricky for the public transport users there, because there will be three routes. Most of them will stop in the village, but some do not. Baar members of the cantonal council have submitted a proposal with the aim of having all the buses stop there. The express lines that run non-stop from the V-Zug to Zimmel in Unterägeri are excluded from this.

Parts of the Schmittli transport node were flooded in July            Photo: Christian Herbert Hildebrand  
Preparatory work was started in Schmittli in 2021                           Photo: Maria Schmid
All the buses from the Ägerital to Zug will run via Allenwinden      Photo: Stefan Kaiser, Unterägeri
The Edlibach junction will be much busier during the closure         Photo: Maria Schmid,  Menzingen
The path leads uphill over the Moosrank and Allenwinden              Photo: Maria Schmid, Baar
The Building Directorate expects 8,000 vehicles a day through Allenwinden          Photo: Maria Schmid, Baar
 A path and a bridge are temporarily available in the Allenwinden area of St. Meinrad
Photo: Maria Schmid
The Lorzentobel Bridge is expected to be closed from 2026              Photo: Daniel Frischherz

How much additional travel time will result?
According to a "rough estimate", construction director Florian Weber expects "zero to three minutes". No surveys had been carried out, but the blue light organisers had helped to develop the diversion concept. Test drives by our editors have shown that the loss of time travelling uphill is about half a minute – but this only with an open road through Allenwinden. Going downhill, you have to calculate twice as much time for the Schmittli-Nidfuren via Edlibach route, even in the best case: five minutes, instead of just under two and a half minutes.

Are there alternative routes?
Fewer than usual. There is the "Kistenpass" between Menzingen and Ober- and Unterägeri, which leads past the guided missile position on the Gübel. During the renovation work, this detour will only be open in one-way traffic from Menzingen in the direction of Ägeri. The municipality of Menzingen has also introduced traffic restrictions on the Mühlestrasse and the Lüthärtigenstrasse, as well as near Schönbrunn.  

What security measures have the authorities in Allenwinden taken?
There are additional pedestrian crossings with central islands and wider pavements in places, and the municipality of Baar wants to increase the attention of drivers by means of a speed display. In addition, pupils are being sensitised to the increased traffic through various initiatives.

What will be the situation for cyclists and pedestrians?
They will also not be able to use the road between the Schmittli and the Nidfuren during the closure. During this time, there is access to a specially built bridge in the Allenwinden area of St. Meinrad, which leads over the river Lorze to the existing path along the river in the direction of the Höllgrotten in Baar.

When will the Lorzentobel Bridge be renovated?
According to the Building Directorate, this is expected in 2026 and 2027, at the same time as the renewal of the Moosrank-Nidfuren road section. At 1.6 kilometres, this is shorter than the route that is to be renovated first. Nevertheless, its renovation work will have a similar impact, and diversions will be necessary.