The new Zurich Cross-City Rail Link: A new railway line that stretches across Zurich

Zurich main railway station is nearing full capacity. SBB is building a new cross city rail link in order to be able to cope with future passenger volume. The main components will be a new underground transit station (to be built under the existing main railway station) and the 4.8 kilometre Weinberg tunnel which will cut through some very difficult terrain.   

Building under the main railway station

The new transit station on Löwenstrasse is 16 metres below the tracks of the railway station and the River Sihl. Engineers face a number of significant challenges. How can they ensure that services at the station can be maintained without suffering disruption? How can they organise the logistics of a major construction project at the heart of a busy station that handles 300,000 passengers a day? How will they undertake construction work using heavy equipment in the river bed? The multidisciplinary project team is providing innovative solutions for these and many other challenges. 

Tunnel built using hi-tech construction methods

The Weinberg tunnel is directly linked to the Löwenstrasse station. It passes under some very sensitive terrain: the listed area south of the main railway station; the busy Bahnhofsquai and finally, the River Limmat. This 350 metre long stretch of tunnel also cuts through loose rock which is saturated with ground water. Only by using special construction methods and a wide range of security precautions is it possible to achieve what is only just technically feasible. The work includes the construction of a massive pipe roof umbrella, structural monitoring and the use of a sophisticated system to manage incidents.  

Client:

SBB

Services provided by Basler & Hofmann:  

Basler & Hofmann is the lead partner and project manager in the engineering consortium IG Zalo (Basler & Hofmann, Pöyry and SNZ). IG Zalo is responsible for the engineering design and construction management for the Löwenstrasse station and the Weinberg tunnel.  

Pictures: Oli Rust