Lot 2 “Tunnel Ligerz” - Implenia wins another complex railway infrastructure project in Switzerland as part of the double-track expansion Ligerz-Twann

2023-08-03

SBB awards contract for Lot 2 “Tunnel Ligerz” to joint venture led by Implenia | Total volume of CHF 220 million | Joint venture partners are Bernasconi and De Luca

The SBB contract for lot 2 “Tunnel Ligerz” was assigned to joint venture IBD, consisting of the partners Implenia (lead), Bernasconi and De Luca. The total contract volume is CHF 220 million, Implenia's share is around CHF 150 million.

The contract comprises the 2.1 km long double-track tunnel, of which around 1,850 m by mining and around 250 m by cut-and-cover, including concrete lining and railway technology. In addition, four escape tunnels, a 114 m long viaduct for the exit of highway N5 and various additional structures are being built. The excavated material will be transported by ship and the existing railway line will be dismantled and redesigned.

The aim of the project is to eliminate the last railway bottleneck on the “Jurafuss” line between Lausanne and Biel. Due to the prevailing narrow space conditions between the lake and the slope, where the N5 national road and the cantonal road also run, a new double-track tunnel will be built.

The location of the project in protected areas is also a particular challenge: The region is listed in the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments (BLN). The villages of La Neuveville, Chavannes, Ligerz and Twann are part of the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of National Importance (ISOS).