SWITZERLAND’s Federal Office of Transport (FOT) granted planning approval for the provision of a corridor permitting 4m clearance for freight trains in the suburbs of Basle on December 16. This will enable the Swiss portion of the line to the French border on the left bank of the Rhine to be upgraded to an additional feeder line for the New Rail Link through the Alps (NEAT) project.
Core construction work between Basle St Johann and Basle SBB will begin in April. Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) will lower the tracks in the Kannenfeld and Schützenmatt tunnels, as well as under two road overbridges. SBB will also carry out a number of routine maintenance tasks, including the renovation of two bridges over the River Birsig.
The first phase of separately approved preparatory work is already underway, while the second phase will begin in January. Core construction work is expected to be completed by the end of 2029.
Profile adjustments are also necessary on the French side to allow freight trains with higher loads to also be routed via the left bank of the Rhine. A corresponding declaration of intent was signed by Swiss federal councillor, Albert Rösti, and the French minister of transport in February 2025 and the required loading gauge enhancements are underway.
The cost of the project in Switzerland amounts to SFr 114m ($US 143m) and will be largely financed by the federal government. The refurbishment of the two Birsig bridges, costing SFr 7m, will be covered by a service agreement with SBB for structural maintenance.
For detailed data on rail projects across Europe, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
