A1 expansion northern Zurich bypass
On Saturday, April 15, 2023, more than 20,000 visitors took the opportunity to participate in the «tunnel festival» and inspected the new third tube of the Gubrist motorway tunnel Bicycles were available for transiting the whole length of the tunnel and were in constant use from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in both directions. Many guests also enjoyed the tunnel atmosphere by taking a ride on the rubber-wheeled sightseeing train. In addition, the program included a show presented by the emergency services, tours of the huge control centers and a wide range of catering options.
Early on Thursday morning, April 20, 2023, the third tube of the Gubrist tunnel was commissioned. Westbound traffic has been flowing through the new tunnel tube since shortly before 4 a.m. As part of the drainage, surfacing and foundation work has not yet been completed, some construction space is still required in Weiningen. Therefore, for the time being, only two lanes are available for traffic in the new tube. The official opening with the release of the third lane will take place on July 3, 2023 in the presence of Federal Councillor A. Rösti.
A1 expansion northern Zurich bypass
The new third tube of the Gubrist tunnel will start operating after a "silent opening" during the night of April 22, 2023. A major public festival will take place one week earlier on April 15, 2023. The formal opening event with Federal Councillor A. Rösti is envisaged for July 4, 2023, when all three westbound lanes will be available to road users.
A1 expansion northern Zurich bypass
The commissioning of the third tube of the Gubrist tunnel has been postponed until spring 2023 due to the current global economic situation (Covid).
During the night of April 22/23, 2023, there will be a "silent opening" of the third tube to regular traffic. A public festival and the authorities’ event are expected to take place in mid-April 2023.
In early May 2023, the renovation work of the existing second Gubrist tube will start. Westbound traffic (direction Bern) will be accomodated on two lanes in the new third tube, while eastbound traffic (direction St. Gallen) will occupy two lanes in the first tube.
Maintenance project Hagnau – Augst
The GS-DETEC (General secretary of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication) has approved the "Operations Center South East" project. No complaints were received against this decision. Thus, details concerning the construction process of the new operations center next to the east portal of the Schweizerhalle tunnel are now being planned. Procurement of services is expected to take place in 2023.
A1 expansion northern Zurich bypass
A1 expansion northern Zurich bypass
A1 expansion northern Zurich bypass
Maintenance project Hagnau – Augst
A1 EXPANSION NORTHERN ZURICH BYPASS
The northern Zurich bypass between the Limmattal interchange and the Zurich North junction became operational in 1985. Today, the traffic volume at this motorway section exceeds 120’000 vehicles every working day. Traffic jams are frequent and there has been an increase in the occurrence of accidents.
The Federal Roads Office is improving the traffic situation on the northern Zurich bypass with an extension of the roadway to six lanes and the construction of a third tunnel tube.
Other core aspects of the improvements included in this key federal project are the two redesigned junctions at Weiningen and Zurich-Affoltern, as well as a new 100 m long covering in Weiningen. As an environmental compensation measure, a 580 m long covering with recreational areas will be constructed between Katzenseestrasse and Horensteinstrasse. The two existing tubes of the Gubrist tunnel will also be refurbished. Extensive environmental protection measures are to be implemented for the entire project and in particular for the protected marshlands around the Katzensee. The improvement also requires flanking measures in respect of traffic to provide effective and sustainable support for a transfer of traffic from other main roads to the high capacity road.
With few exceptions, two lanes in both directions will be continuously available for traffic for the entire duration of the construction phase. The excavation material of the third tube of the Gubrist tunnel will be loaded onto railway wagons via the temporary loading station in Zürich-Affoltern, and deposited in the quarry Oberegg, AG. Thanks to this measure, roughly 100‘000 truck trips will be avoided.
R+R has advised and assisted the Federal Roads Office ASTRA since 2008 as staff unit for the overall project owner in project management and since 2011 also as staff unit environmental consulting. As project-owner support, R+R is responsible for contract controlling, cost and budget management and the implementation of environmental protection measures.
Client
Federal Roads Office (FEDRO)
Processing period
since 2004
Project costs
1.55 Mia. CHF (price basis 2006)
Project type
Road
Services
Project Management
Fields of expertise
Strategic Planning
Project Planning and Organization
Project Controlling
Procurement
Professional Support
Communication Support
Downloads
Project sheet
Contact
Michel Thomet
Consultant, deputy managing director