SWITZERLAND’s Federal Office of Transport (FOT) has granted planning permission for the project to widen the Zürich - Winterthur main line to four tracks and to build a new 9km tunnel that will help to improve capacity and journey times on one of the busiest sections of the national network.
The Brüttener Tunnel will form the central section of the upgraded line, connecting Bassersdorf and Dietlikon in the south to its northern portal at Tössmühle near Winterthur. The project aims to ease congestion on the existing line via Effretikon, which is currently operating at full capacity, enabling faster long-distance services and more frequent regional connections, improving reliability and cutting journey times.
Once completed, the project will provide continuous four-track operation between Zürich and Winterthur. Additional grade-separated junctions in Wallisellen, Dietlikon and Winterthur are also planned to further enhance network efficiency.
The project includes significant upgrades to local infrastructure. The stations at Winterthur-Töss, Dietlikon, Bassersdorf and Wallisellen will be partially rebuilt and made wheelchair-accessible.
Public consultation on the project was held in June 2023, attracting more than 200 objections. The FOT reports that the majority of these have since been resolved.
Under Swiss planning law, objectors have 30 days to appeal the FOT’s decision to the Federal Administrative Court. If no appeals are lodged, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) will finalise the construction programme. Preliminary construction is expected to start in early 2026, with the new infrastructure scheduled to enter service in 2037.
The total cost of the project is estimated at SFr 3.3bn ($US 4.15bn), based on 2014 prices. The Swiss Parliament approved the project in 2019 as part of the Rail Expansion 2035 programme.
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