The Federal Council of Berne, capital of Switzerland, has approved construction of the western branch of Biel bypass, including the junction to the right bank of Lake Biel (port tunnel) and Vigneules tunnel. The two new sections of the national road A5 will reduce the traffic in the region of Biel between Luterbach and Yverdon. The estimated cost of these projects amounts to nearly EUR1.65 billion.

The western branch of Biel bypass includes a half junction at Faubourg du Lac, the 760 m City tunnel, the junction at Biel Centre and the remaining 1,000 m of the 1,370 m-long Weidteile tunnel as far as Heideweg. The first 370 m of the latter tunnel, from Heideweg to Marais de Brugg junction, was approved in 1999 and are under construction.

The connection to the right bank of Lake Biel will be provided by the 1,760 m-long bidirectional Port tunnel and the four-lane bridge over the canal Nidau-Bueren.

The 2.3 km-long Vigneules tunnel is part of the extension of the western branch towards Neuchatel. Its general plan was adopted in 2008 by the Council of Berne, but suspended for coordination with the revised draft of the western branch.

Start of work of the western branch of Biel bypass is expected in 2019. Visit http://www.a5-biel-bienne.ch/fr/branche-ouest/. 38/14.