04.05.2023

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.

03.02.2023

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.

08.09.2022

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.

20.06.2022

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.

News
04.05.2023
A1 expansion northern Zurich bypass
03.02.2023
A1 expansion northern Zurich bypass
08.09.2022
A1 expansion northern Zurich bypass
20.06.2022
Maintenance project Hagnau – Augst
Canton of Bern, Department of Civil Engineering, District IV

Aarwangen Traffic Improvement – NISTRA Assessment

In the future, through traffic will bypass Aarwangen on a new road west of the town. The NISTRA evaluation tool, developed by the Federal Roads Office, is used to assess the advantages, disadvantages and costs of the project.

The high volume of traffic on the main road through the town of Aarwangen affects residents and leads to congestion.
A new western bypass road will divert through traffic around the town. This will relieve the pressure on inhabitants of the town center, obstructions to slow-moving traffic and public transport will be reduced, and traffic safety will be improved. In addition, the main road through town can be made more attractive.
The Department of Civil Engineering of the canton of Bern commissioned R+R to evaluate the bypass project using the NISTRA evaluation tool developed by the Federal Roads Office. The advantages and disadvantages of the project are analyzed, benefits quantified and costs determined. NISTRA combines three different assessment approaches (cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, qualitative analysis).
In addition to Aarwangen itself, the assessment also takes the neighboring communities of Langenthal, Thunstetten and Bützberg into account, as these will also be affected by the changed traffic flows.
NISTRA yields a positive overall rating considering environmental, economical and social factors. Even with a negative rating on some aspects concerning environment and spatial development, the positive project effects predominate. The focus is on the benefits of shorter travel times, improved access, a safer traffic flow and less noise and exhaust emissions for residents.
Key data

Client
Canton of Bern, Department of Civil Engineering, District IV

Processing period
2018 – 2020

Project costs
approx. 174 Mio. CHF

Project type
Road

Services
Consulting

Fields of expertise
Project Evaluation

Downloads
Project sheet

Contact

Dr. Jost Lüking

Consultant economics, chairman of the board of directors