HISTORY

The idea of building a motorway service area in the canton of Uri dates back to the 1970s – when the Gotthard motorway itself still only existed on paper. It was on 22 May 1980 that the facility first went into operation with the main building on the northbound side and the satellite on the southbound side. The construction costs for both buildings were approximately CHF 10 million.

Rapidly increasing traffic volumes and changing guest expectations led to constant improvements of the Gotthard Motorway Service Area, with the aim of giving travellers the best possible service at all times. In 1983, for example, seating capacity was increased from 90 to 250. In 1993 the satellite and shop underwent comprehensive refurbishment.

In December 2004, planning for the conversion and extension of the main building was started, and the project was completed three years later: since then the Gotthard Motorway Service Area has been an attractive and highly memorable location. Another milestone occurred on 3 July 2009 with the opening of one of the biggest and most attractive shops in the Swiss motorway network.

Since 2018 the new buildings offer travellers in Direction South an unparalleled experience. Transparent facade elements allow a view over the stunning landscape, the river Reuss and the cliff face “Tschingelfluh”. In the restaurant, on the terrace and in the naturally landscaped park, there’s plenty of space to eat a picnic and stretch your legs.

The Gotthard Motorway Service Area has become a major contractor for the region and also a key employer, with a workforce of some 150. It also purchases some 80 per cent of its goods from local providers.