{"id":133131,"date":"2022-06-03T09:56:15","date_gmt":"2022-06-03T09:56:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/progetto-innovativo-logistica-sottoterra\/"},"modified":"2022-06-03T10:07:04","modified_gmt":"2022-06-03T10:07:04","slug":"switzerland-innovative-underground-logistics-project-takes-shape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/switzerland-innovative-underground-logistics-project-takes-shape\/","title":{"rendered":"Switzerland’s innovative underground logistics project takes shape"},"content":{"rendered":"

Switzerland’s innovative underground logistics project takes shape<\/span><\/h1>\n

Cargo sous terrain (CST) has reached the first milestones to develop the entire Swiss network, which is expected to be ready by 2045 in cooperation with cities and cantons while the first section from H\u00e4rkingen to Zurich Airport will open in 2031.<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n

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\"Cargo<\/a>
Cargo sous terrain (CST) Underground logistics system in Switzerland @ CST<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With the positive parliamentary decision at the end of 2021, investor funds for the CST have become available for the construction authorization phase, which includes preparing the necessary approval procedures in the cantons along the first section of the tunnel. In the cantons of Aargau, Solothurn and Zurich, the procedures for the structural plan, which are the prerequisite for the CST, will begin at the end of 2022. At the current stage, the most suitable locations for the hubs along the first section from H\u00e4rkingen to Zurich Airport<\/strong> are being studied, examining traffic accessibility and carrying out geological clarifications with the aim of integrating the hub into the landscape and inhabited area. This innovative profect will go a long way toward reducing the volume of surface freight traffic. Parallel to the planning of the first section, the CST is also working on the extension of the entire Swiss network by 2045.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eastern Switzerland wants a fast connection to the CST<\/span><\/h2>\n

The study conducted by CST together with the cantons of St. Gallen and Thurgau of the feasibility potential of underground freight transport between Zurich and eastern Switzerland showed that extending the network to St. Gallen is technically and economically promising. Based on the results, more in-depth investigations of possible hub locations are now being conducted, and both cantons are working to develop the fastest possible connection to the future-oriented system.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"3D_Simulation_5_Gesamtsystem<\/a>
3D simulation of the project @CST<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the joint study, projected freight volumes were determined and possible areas for a surface connection point were defined while also taking into consideration major regional development projects. The analyses show that the freight volumes in Frauenfeld, Weinfelden, Wil, Uzwil, Gossau Ost, St. Gallen <\/strong>and St. Margrethen<\/strong> would in principle justify the construction of a connection point. With this project, surface freight traffic can be moved underground, reducing pressure on infrastructure expansion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Technical Data<\/span><\/h2>\n

The tunnel for the innovative logistics system will have a depth of 50 to 80 meters. Examination of technical feasibility included identification of possible conflicts with groundwater deposits and investigation of rock type. Both are critical to the success of the tunnel where it was found that groundwater areas can be largely undercut and thus any compromise of groundwater by the tunnel can be avoided. Between Winterthur and St. Gallen, specialists foresee geological conditions suitable for tunnel construction while between the east of the city of St. Gallen and the Rhine Valley, the subsurface is more challenging since this is already a peripheral area of the Alps.<\/span><\/p>\n

Economic potential<\/span><\/h2>\n

The extension of the network to Frauenfeld, Wil, Uzwil, Gossau, and St. Gallen has economic investment potential while the extension of the tunnel to the Rhine valley involves high construction costs, which probably cannot be sufficiently covered by the freight potentials to be developed in the Rhine valley of St. Gallen and Vorarlberg. The connection to Weinfelden also appears uneconomic at present.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Switzerland the transport of goods will “slide” underground<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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