Rapid freight railways
Switzerland is set to invest around CHF 11.9 million in its rail infrastructure through to the year 2035. CHF 205 million has been earmarked for the freight segment, which is expected to be speeded up and accorded greater capacities on the north–south axis.
The modernisation and expansion of Switzerland’s railway infrastructure is financed through a dedicated fund. Every five years the government presents the concomitant projects for implementation over the coming 15 years. Its proposals for the years to 2035 cover around 200 measures costing about EUR 11.9 billion. The largest chunk thereof has been earmarked for passenger services. Railfreight operations naturally also benefit when passenger services run smoothly.
Railfreight projects have been allocated approximately CHF 205 million. These funds are expected to enable shorter transit times on standard and express tracks. Expansion work as well as new tracks have been pencilled in mainly for the French-speaking regions in western Switzerland, eastern Switzerland and the region between Basel and Bern. Additional trains through the Lötschberg tunnel are expected to improve efficiency on the north–south axis.
More tracks, new stations
Other investment will go to shunting yards and loading stations. In Sévaz, in the canton of Fribourg, a new shunting station will be built for CHF 60 million, same as near Chavornay / Onnens in the canton of Vaud. In the German-speaking part of the country, Frauenfeld and Landquart will be expanded, as will Cadenazzo in the southern canton of Ticino.