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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).

Implenia’s experts in the fields of civil engineering, tunnelling, special foundations, civil structures, railway engineering and maritime work are being deployed. Christian Späth, Head Division Civil Engineering of Implenia: "We are looking forward to carrying out this large and complex rail infrastructure project together with our joint venture partners and once again demonstrating our longstanding experience and expertise in this area. We wish the entire project team an accident-free construction period."