AFRY strengthens resilience and restores nature in Roveredo bypass, Switzerland
Environmental supervision and sustainable engineering for a key Alpine transport corridor
The A13 Roveredo bypass, including the 2.38 km San Fedele tunnel, strengthens the resilience of a key Alpine transport corridor while reconnecting the community of Roveredo and restoring its natural landscape. AFRY provided environmental supervision and soil-science management throughout the works to ensure full compliance with environmental and land-protection standards.
Reuniting a divided community
When the A13 motorway was built in the 1960s, it split Roveredo in two, creating physical and social barriers. The new bypass redirects traffic away from the village, reuniting the town and improving quality of life while establishing a more harmonious and sustainable urban environment.
Delivering sustainable and resilient infrastructure
The project included three new motorway bridges and dual carriageways in both directions over a total length of 2.5 km. During construction, extensive measures were implemented to protect the environment, strengthen the resilience of transport infrastructure, and enhance the surrounding landscape.
Environmental and landscape restoration
In the Trii area near the southern tunnel entrance, around 120,000 m² of land was reshaped using excavated material to create new natural contours. Along the Pascol Grande river zone, about 230,000 m² of natural habitat was revitalized — improving ecological quality, biodiversity, and long-term climate adaptation in the region.
Decommissioning and renewal
The project also involved dismantling approximately 80,000 m² of the old motorway, relocating high-voltage power lines, and redesigning local traffic routes.
Around 60,000 m² of chestnut forest was restored, and contaminated sites were remediated — transforming the area into a safer, healthier, and more resilient environment.
Long-term management and maintenance
To ensure lasting impact, AFRY supported environmental monitoring and maintenance of the rehabilitated forest, agricultural, and conservation areas in collaboration with local partners. The active involvement of the community is key to maintaining environmental value and ensuring sustainable land management for the future.
Project facts
Client: Federal Roads Office (ASTRA), Bellinzona
Services:
- Environmental supervision
- Soil-science supervision
- Specialist site management
- Revision and detailing of the landscape management plan
- Preparation of the recultivation plan
- Detailed design for traditional dry-stone walls, including preparation of “Special Provisions” for tendering
- Siting, zoning and detailed design of ponds as part of compensation and mitigation measures
- Development of a reforestation concept (species lists, forest-edge zoning, historically informed forest types, incl. chestnut woodland planting)
Phases: SIA 41, 51, 52, 53
Duration: 2008 – 2019
(Main construction completed in 2016; deconstruction and environmental restoration continued until 2019.)
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