Graubünden in Focus: Transport Policy, Wolf Regulation, and Olympic Premiere

Executive Summary

The canton of Graubünden is experiencing a critical week across three central areas: Federal transport planning 2045 marginalizes the region as a "large white spot" and delays urgently needed expansions of the A13 and the Bivio bypass. In parallel, the second wolf regulation with 35 shot wolves shows partial success, but the Department of Hunting and Fisheries urges caution against premature conclusions. Simultaneously, Arno Lieta, a ski mountaineer from the Prättigau, makes his Olympic debut in a discipline that has its premiere in 2026.

Persons

• Carmelia Meissen
• Adrian Erquint
• Arno Lieta

Topics

• Transport Infrastructure
• Wolf Management
• Olympic Games
• Regional Development

Clarus Lead

Federal transport planning 2045 reveals structural disadvantage for peripheral mountain regions: Graubünden receives no federal funding for critical A13 expansions and the Bivio bypass. This endangers economic competitiveness and traffic safety in a region dependent on functional north-south corridors. Regional Councillor Meissen signals frustration but plans pragmatic countermeasures such as traffic dosing.

Clarus Analysis

• Clarus Research: Federal transport planning 2045 reveals an explicit agglomeration program—large urban areas benefit (e.g., Grimsel tunnel), while mountain cantons are structurally excluded. This is not a sign of lacking infrastructure, but conscious prioritization.

• Classification: For Graubünden, a mobility vicious cycle emerges: Without federal funding for expansions, attractiveness for businesses, skilled workers, and tourism declines. The A13 bottlenecks between Rotenbrunnen and Reichenau remain a permanent problem.

• Consequence: The canton must focus on operational measures (dosing, transit tax debates) but will be marginalized long-term without national support. This requires a coherent lobbying strategy for the next consultation (June 2026).

Detailed Summary

Transport Planning 2045: Graubünden on the Sidelines

Swiss federal transport planning 2045 prioritizes major projects in agglomerations and mountain regions away from Graubünden. Examples include the Grimsel tunnel or expansions in more densely populated cantons. For the Prättigau canton, the result is sobering: Apart from an RHB crossing track in Buschtal, no further road or rail projects with federal financing are planned.

The planned A13 expansions between Rotenbrunnen and Reichenau—a well-known bottleneck with regular congestion—received no priority. The Bivio bypass is also postponed indefinitely. Regional Councillor Carmelia Meissen reacts with mixed feelings: "We note this, but we regret it as well." She states soberly that the expansion program "is rather an agglomeration program" and Graubünden "counts among the large white spots."

In immediate response, the canton refines existing measures for traffic management. Dosing—a technical control of speed on the A13 during high traffic volumes—has proven the most effective method so far. Meissen also announces that she will closely monitor discussions at the federal level regarding transit taxes, as these could also have relief effects.

The consultation on the transport proposal begins in June 2026. Here Graubünden will need to present its positions, though chances appear slim.

Wolf Regulation: 35 Animals Shot, Data Still Pending

From early September to late January 2026, 35 wolves were shot in the canton of Graubünden within the framework of the second proactive wolf regulation. This is 13 animals fewer than in the first regulation period. The tally is distributed across three entire packs (14 animals), 18 juveniles, and three conspicuous individual wolves.

Co-head of the Department of Hunting and Fisheries, Adrian Erquint, evaluates the result as positive, with an important caveat: Conditions were more difficult than the previous year. There was less snow, and wild boar did not congregate as densely near villages—a factor that complicated hunting conditions. Nevertheless, the shooting plan was fulfilled "even a bit higher" than planned.

New this season: Hunters were included and shot seven wolves during regular hunting. Erquint confirms that this collaboration was "very valuable" and worked well.

However, the department is cautious with conclusions. The DNA analyses of pending samples will only be conducted later and could influence the targets for the third regulation period. Erquint emphasizes that it is too early to make reliable statements about behavioral changes in wolves. One needs "systematic data material" and scientific studies to recognize long-term trends. Learning and optimization occurs year by year, yet clear causal relationships between regulation and behavioral change remain unclear.

Olympic Premiere: Ski Mountaineer Arno Lieta from the Prättigau

On February 19, 2026, a discipline that has never existed at the Olympic Games begins in Milan-Cortina: Ski Mountaineering. The competition combines elements of ski racing and alpinism in extreme condensation: athletes run up the mountain on skis, remove their skis, carry them on their backs higher up, and descend at the end similar to ski cross.

Arno Lieta from Klosters, raised on an alpine farm in Fidelis in the Prättigau, is among the world's best ski mountaineers. Three years ago, he dominated the scene: He won nearly every World Cup race, captured the overall World Cup title, and became sprint world champion. This "super season" was extraordinary—everything worked, and Lieta was the clear favorite for Olympic gold.

Since then, the picture has intensified. The competition has become denser, the level has risen. In the last three years, only a single World Cup victory was added. Lieta himself attributes this not only to increased competition but also to mental factors: After a season when everything worked out, it was difficult to return to limit thinking. He had experienced an "expectations spiral" and realized that the psychological readiness to push himself to the limit was lacking.

Since spring 2025, Lieta has been training with a mental coach. This investment shows results: The 2025/26 season is going significantly better than the previous one. He already had two good World Cup placements and feels mentally prepared for Milan-Cortina.

Professionally, Lieta is a semi-professional. He receives support through sports aid, military sponsorships, and private sponsors, but works parallel 10–20% on the family farm. In winter, he significantly reduces this side work and uses it as a mental balance. After the Olympics, he wants to take time for reflection and decide with coaches, family, and his partner how to proceed.

Key Findings

• Transport: Federal plan 2045 structurally disadvantages Graubünden; A13 expansion and Bivio bypass receive no federal funding; canton must rely on operational measures.

• Wolves: 35 wolves shot, goals partially achieved, but behavioral change data still pending; systematic evaluation only possible later.

• Olympics: Ski mountaineering debuts at 2026 Olympics; Arno Lieta from the Prättigau is a medal favorite after mental reorientation.

Stakeholders & Affected Parties

Opportunities & Risks

Action Relevance

For Graubünden Government Council

1. Immediately: Prepare consultation strategy for June 2026; engage all affected stakeholders (logistics, tourism, associations).
2. Medium-term: Document dosing effectiveness; clarify transit tax position and coordinate with neighboring cantons.
3. Indicators: Track A13 congestion minutes per day, transport time Basel-Chiasso, business relocation rates.

For Department of Hunting & Fisheries

1. Immediately: Prioritize completion of DNA analyses; document pack behavioral changes.
2. Medium-term: Design third regulation period with scientific hypotheses; systematically capture hunter feedback.
3. Indicators: Livestock loss rates (sheep, goats), wolf density models, shooting accuracy rates.

For Olympic Support (Lieta)

1. Until Feb 19: Intensify mental coaching; secure logistics for Milan-Cortina.
2. Afterwards: Regardless of result, support reflection [process]