The municipalities of Sargans, Mels, Vilters-Wangs and Wartau worked together with the Civil Engineering Office of the Canton of St.Gallen to develop a comprehensive solution for future-oriented traffic development in the Pizol-Wartau region. The result of the feasibility study is based on a concept that takes into account both regional transportation needs and the quality of life in the villages. The expediency assessment has shown that a large-scale expansion of the road infrastructure is not appropriate. This would create more problems than it would solve. A wide-ranging solution concept with various measures and selective expansions offers the opportunity to contribute to improving the situation step by step.

Three parts for a holistic solution

Optimization of overall traffic: 18 overarching measures were defined in the previously communicated overall traffic concept. Among other things, the systematic expansion of the footpath and cycle path network is being examined, municipal planning is being coordinated and mobility management is being promoted. The four municipalities have defined around 30 specific projects, which are now being implemented step by step. These include 30 km/h zones and new street designs.

Optimization of the national road: In collaboration with the Federal Roads Office, improvements between the Sargans national road junction and the Sarganserland junction are being examined to reduce traffic flow and increase safety. The junction system at the national road junction is to be optimized. The acceleration and deceleration lanes between the junction and the Sarganserland junction are to be extended. The Federal Office has promised to carry out in-depth studies on this.

Tiefriet development: The development of the Tiefriet industrial area requires the existing access roads to be extended and any gaps to be closed. To this end, the Department of Economic Affairs of the Canton of St.Gallen has commissioned a traffic study together with the municipality of Sargans, taking into account all modes of transport and the proximity to Sargans railroad station. The planning is being coordinated with the development of the area. The results should be available by the end of 2025.

Various options rejected

Several options for road expansion were examined in the feasibility study. As these were not sufficiently effective, hardly feasible or eligible for approval, the variants were recompiled in a second phase. This review also showed that the effectiveness was not sufficient and that the problems would be exacerbated.

For this reason, various bypasses, a gonzi tunnel and a Baltschana half-connection will not be pursued further. All details on the feasibility assessment can be found in the report at sg.e-mitwirkung.ch.

Consultation hours and participation

The municipalities involved and the Civil Engineering Office will present the findings at an information event on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 7 pm at Verrucano Mels. All attendees are invited to an aperitif afterwards.

For further questions, consultation hours will be offered in all four municipalities from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with specialists and those responsible in the municipality:

• July 1, 2025: Mels Town Hall
• August 12, 2025: Sargans town hall
• August 14, 2025: Aula Schulhaus Feld in Azmoos (Wartau)
• August 15, 2025: Wangs town hall
  

From June 11 to August 31, 2025, all interested parties are invited to comment on the proposed solution concept at sg.e-mitwirkung.ch.

Further information

In the following brochure you will find all the important information about the planned solution and the opportunities to help shape it. The individual projects of the Pizol-Wartau overall traffic concept, including the project status, are listed on the following homepage: www.sarganserland-werdenberg.ch/gvkpizolwartau