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
COST AND QUALITY BENCHMARKING
On a line-by-line basis, the infrastructure costs of the BLS railway network were compared to a benchmark with the aim of determining the „best practices“ regarding maintenance and investment costs, and in respect of operating quality. With the help of visualised results, comprehensive interpretations were drawn up with the staff responsible for the infrastructure, scope for action was presented and strategic directions for future improvements were discussed. Findings regarding best practices or poor practices were examined in depth on a case-by-case basis with the help of specific analyses, and potentials for savings and/or upgrading were identified for the individual lines. Line-by-line analyses were undertaken regarding the track, safety equipment and parts of the operation. Cost and quality differences between individual sections were derived with the help of various statistical and econometric methods, and these were examined from various perspectives. The influence of curve radii, line lengths, the quality of track positioning and of the numbers and weights of trains, etc., on investment and maintenance costs was analysed in detail, and relationships between costs, quality, infrastructural factors and traffic load were evaluated. On one hand, the results allow the identification of cost saving potentials; and on the other, the results also provide an important basis in order to develop objectives for future services. However, with the help of data on work undertaken, it was possible to make comparisons not only between costs, but also between the services on which the costs were based. This approach made it possible to quantify efficiency improvements based not only on cost reductions, but also on improved service provision. |
Client
BLS AG Infrastructure
Processing period
2010 – 2011
Project type
Rail
Services
Consulting
Fields of expertise
Benchmarking
Downloads
Project sheet
Contact

Dr. Jost Lüking
Consultant economics, chairman of the board of directors