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Zurich/Bern – The canton of Zurich is integrating three cantonal projects for new cycling and bus infrastructures into the major project Brüttener Tunnel of the SBB and the Swiss government. Work will then continue as a collaborative project. This will ensure optimum coordination and cost reductions.

The canton of Zurich plans to work together more closely with the SBB on upcoming projects. Through this, the two partners intend to exploit synergies and cut costs, as was reported in a press release. For the canton of Zurich, it has become apparent that it makes sense to integrate the three cantonal projects for expanding the cycling and bus network into the major project Brüttener Tunnel and work together with the SBB on these projects. 

“The Brüttener Tunnel project offers the opportunity to realize the most extensive cycling project in the canton of Zurich to date in the Glattal region as well and to develop public transport,” explained Director of the Federal Office, Carmen Walker Späh, in the press release. In line with the integrated transport concept of the canton of Zurich, the aim is to steadily increase the share of cycling as a percentage of the total traffic volume to 8 percent by 2030.

The State Council has therefore applied to the Cantonal Council for a loan of 73.1 million Swiss francs. This will be used to realize the pilot project of creating a cycle superhighway from Zurich-Oerlikon to the Zürcher Oberland via Wallisellen and Dübendor that is “accessible, safe and comfortable”.

A feeder for this cycle superhighway is planned by means of a cycling mainline from In Lampitzäckern in Dietlikon towards Baltenswil following the SBB route. It is also part of the synergy project. In redesigning the road of Bahnhofstrasse, the cycling route in Dietlikon will be developed into a mainline all the way to Wangen-Brüttisellen, closing the gap in the network towards Baltenswil.

Finally, in the course of construction work on the Brüttener Tunnel, the underpass from Baltensilerstrasse to Bassersdorf will be removed. The canton is planning to add a bus lane to benefit the bus service from Baltenswil to Bassersdorf railway station.

The planning approval procedure for the Brüttener Tunnel and the three accompanying projects will run from 2023 to 2025. These accompanying projects will be presented to the public in phases before the tunnel opens, which is planned before the end of 2034 at the earliest.