On Wednesday 11 November, the Swiss Federal Council approved the general Rhine tunnel project in Basel. It is expected to be in operation later than 2040. The project is expected to cost around 2.36 billion Swiss francs (more or less 2.18 billion euros).

Federal road company press release translation:

Federal Council approves general project Rhine tunnel Basel

Bern, 11.11.2020 - At its meeting on November 11, 2020, the Federal Council approved the general project on the Basel Rhine Tunnel. The new tunnel relieves the often overloaded A2 / A3 between the Hagnau and Wiese branches. The costs for the project amount to around 2.36 billion Swiss francs. Construction is scheduled to start in 2029.

On the Basel Osttangente between Hagnau and Wiese there are often traffic jams, accidents often occur and the alternative traffic burdens the urban transport network. That is why the Rhine tunnel is part of the National Road 2030 strategic development program (STEP). It serves to bundle traffic on the national road, relieve the urban road network and increase road safety. In addition, an alternative route for through traffic is available in the event of disruptions on the east bypass.

The Rhine Tunnel comprises a two-lane tube in two directions: The tube in the direction of France / Germany begins at the Birsfelden junction. An additional lane will be implemented at the Birsfelden motorway slip road. The tunnel ends north of the Badischer Bahnhof. There the lanes connect to the existing bridge structures in the direction of France (A3 Nordtangente) and Germany (A2 Osttangente / border bridge). The access to the Rhine tunnel from France (A3 north bypass) begins at the Dreirosenbrücke. The Klybeck exit, which was built as part of the construction of the north bypass, but never put into operation, is used as a connection for the Rhine tunnel. A new exit ramp is being built from Germany on the existing border bridge (A2 Osttangente).

Coverage at Muttenz

Particular attention is paid to the environment: For example, the feeder to the A18 and the area along the Freuler industrial park in Muttenz are covered. And noise protection is improved with sound-absorbing cladding and a low-noise surface. The construction time for the Basel Rhine Tunnel is around 10 years. The start of construction is planned for 2029, it depends on the prioritization of the expansion projects by Parliament as part of the STEP Nationalstrasse 2022 and the duration of the approval process. The project planned by the federal government will cost CHF 2.36 billion.

Federal road company press release (French)

https://www.astra.admin.ch/astra/fr/home/documentation/communiques-de-presse/anzeige-meldungen.msg-id-81062.html

Federal road company press release (German)

https://www.astra.admin.ch/astra/de/home/dokumentation/medienmitteilungen/anzeige-meldungen.msg-id-81062.html