A13 Highway Buckles in Heat Wave, May 26: Sennwald Blow-Up Damages Road

Heat caused the A13 highway near Sennwald in St. Gallen to buckle and tear on May 26, creating a dangerous ridge that damaged at least two vehicles. The incident, called a “blow-up,” forced authorities to close the road and redirect traffic. The section sits on old concrete plates that expand under high temperatures, a known problem the Swiss federal roads office has monitored for years.

How the Road Ruptured

Around 5:30 p.m. on May 26, the asphalt on the A13 between Sennwald and Haag lifted explosively upward in both directions, forming a ridge. The rupture occurred because concrete plates beneath the asphalt, installed during the highway’s original construction decades ago, expanded under extreme heat. When the plates had no room to expand horizontally, pressure built up and released through the pavement above. The section is known for repeated heat damage because it uses one of the oldest construction methods on the A13.

Vehicles Hit at High Speed

Two cars struck the raised pavement at full speed and came to rest about 500 meters away with total damage, according to St. Gallen police spokesperson Florian Schneider. The drivers did not see the ridge in time. Several other vehicles also drove over the damaged area and reported damage to police. No injuries were reported. Specialized machinery repaired the damage throughout the night.

Road Closure and Traffic Impact

Authorities shut down the A13 between Sennwald and Haag in both directions at 5:30 p.m. Traffic was rerouted over state roads, with Viasuisse recommending drivers bypass the region through Zurich. The closure caused significant delays across the Rhine Valley during evening rush hour. The highway reopened by Tuesday morning, May 27, after repair crews worked overnight to stabilize and resurface the full width of the damaged section.

A Recurring Problem

The Sennwald section has experienced blow-ups in previous years due to its aging concrete foundation. The Swiss Federal Roads Office (Astra) is aware of the vulnerability. Police noted the problem occurs repeatedly during hot weather because the old construction method makes the road particularly sensitive to temperature stress. Authorities have not announced plans to replace the aging concrete plates.

Final Thoughts

The A13 blow-up reveals infrastructure strain from extreme heat. Aging roads with concrete foundations face recurring damage during summer months, posing safety risks and requiring costly repairs.

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