Here’s how Switzerland’s roads and highways will change in 2021
The federal government is to invest 2.9 billion Swiss francs in maintenance, operation, improvement and construction, including 396 million for major projects
This year the Swiss Confederation will invest around 2.9 billion Swiss francs in the motorway network to finance maintenance, operation, improvement and construction work, as per the budget approved by parliament.
The Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) approved the 2021 Program for Motorways in Operation and the 2021 Work Program for the Completion of the Network.
Decision on the 2021 programme for motorways in operation (in German)
Decision on the 2021 construction programme for motorways in operation (completion of the network, in German)
Parliament adopted the following appropriations in the budget for 2021: 1.826 billion Swiss francs earmarked for upgrading and maintenance work and 396 million for major projects within the framework of the Strategic Motorway Development Programme (PROSTRA).
In addition, some 439 million is earmarked for operations and 249 million for the completion of the network decreed in 1960.
Maintenance and upgrading: the sections affected
In 2021, major works will be started on the following projects:
– A1 – VD Étoy – Écublens
– A1 – VD Yverdon – Arrissoules
– A2 – BL Sissach – Eptingen
– A2 – LU Sentibrücken, noise protection extension
– A6 – BE Bern Wankdorf – Muri (dynamic lane)
– A14 – LU/ZG Buchrain – Rütihof
– A2 – TI/UR Gotthard freeway tunnel
Main works: the sections concerned
In 2021, the main works already underway on the following sections will also continue:
– A1 – GE Grand-Saconnex junction
– A1 – BE Kirchberg – Kriegstetten
– A1 – ZH Dietikon – Limmattal junction
– A1 – ZH Zürich Unterstrass – Zürich Ost (Schwamendingen artificial tunnel)
– A2 – NW Cantonal border Luzern – Hergiswil
– A2 – TI Airolo – Quinto
– A2 – TI Heavy Vehicles Control Center Giornico
– A2 – TI Melide – Gentilino
– A3 – GL Weesen – Murg (Kerenzerberg)
– A4 – SZ Küssnacht – Brunnen
– A6 – BE Rubigen – Thun Nord
– A9 – VD Vennes – Chexbres
– A9 – VS Martigny and surroundings
– A16 – BE Tavannes – Bözingenfeld
Detailed information about all major projects on the motorway network can be found in German at https://www.astra.admin.ch/astra/de/home/themen/nationalstrassen/baustellen.html, in French at https://www.astra.admin.ch/astra/fr/home/themes/routes-nationales/chantiers.html and in Italian at https://www.astra.admin.ch/astra/it/home/temi/strade-nazionali/cantieri.html.
Old road over the Tremola and Gotthard Passes PROSTRA programme and large-scale projects get under way
In 2021, a total of 396 million Swiss francs will be available for projects under the Strategic Motorway Development Program (PROSTRA) and major projects. The bulk of this will be invested in the expansion of the Zurich northern bypass (A1) to three lanes in each direction and the construction of the second tube of the Gotthard freeway tunnel.
FEDRO’s routine maintenance
In addition to the above-mentioned funds, the Swiss Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) is to provide around 439 million Swiss francs for the routine maintenance of the motorway network. This includes activities such as winter service, maintenance of green areas, cleaning and restoration after accidents, which are intended to ensure the daily use of the network.
249 million for the completion of the network
A total of 249 million Swiss francs will be available for the new works. The largest shares will be allocated to the following cantons: Valais (139), Obwalden (15), Bern (13), Zurich (9), Schwyz (8).
Programme 2021 for the construction of motorways (completion of the network, in German)
2021 programme for motorways in operation (in German)
Only a few stretches (around 35 kilometres) remain before the completion of the motorway network, a task that is shared between the federal government, represented by FEDRO, and the cantons, in their respective roles as supervisors and contractors.
