On September 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., an open day will be held at the Ligerz/Gleresse tunnel, part of the track-doubling project between La Neuveville (BE) and Twann/Douanne (BE) in Switzerland. 

The track doubling of this section will increase the capacity of the Lausanne-Biel line, also known as the Jura foot line, for both passenger and freight transport. It will enable the introduction of a half-hourly regional service (Biel/Bienne - Neuchatel - Yverdon-les-Bains), without negatively impacting freight traffic on this vital route. The project will also free up and redevelop a 32,000 m² area following the dismantling of the old railway line along the Lake Biel/Bienne lake. 

To date, several improvements have been completed as part of the project - launched by SBB in 2020 - including upgrades to overhead lines, changes to the track layout, construction of underpasses, and the transformation of Twann/Douanne station. 

Excavation of the Ligerz/Gleresse tunnel, the main infrastructure of the project, began in September 2024. To date, approximately 500 m of the planned 2.13 km have been excavated, involving the removal of 150,000 t of spoil. The excavated material  is transported from Ligerz/Gleresse to Cornaux (NE) by barge via the river. To date, 160 barge trips have have prevented more than 2,600 truck journeys along the lakeshore. Construction is progressing on schedule and on budget, and the tunnel is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2029. 

This EUR462.83 million (CHF431.9 million) project is essential to eliminate the last bottleneck on the Lausanne-Biel/Bienne line (a 2.3 km single track section), thereby improving service and punctuality for passengers. 

Building in a constrained area that is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and close to the lake poses unique challenges. In addition to the innovative use of the waterway, the project uses nitrate-free explosives for the first time in Switzerland, demonstrating SBB's commitment to environmental protection. 

The open day aims to showcase the tunnel under construction, the excavation front and its impressive machinery, as well as all aspects of the construction site, including the environmental measures taken to protect this natural setting during the works. 

For further information on the project click here and ch/108 for tunnelbuilder archive. Visit https://company.sbb.ch/. 37/25.