Wankdorf Tunnel – Centrepiece of the Wankdorf-Ostermundigen Railway Expansion Project in Bern
SBB is planning to build a new railway tunnel and an additional track between Bern Wankdorf and Ostermundigen. Among other things, this will enable the expansion of railway services between Bern and Thun.
The centrepiece of the rail construction project is the new Wankdorf Tunnel, which will be built underneath the existing tracks. Specifically, the line will descend from Bern after Wankdorf railway station via an approx. 290 m long ramp, pass through an approx. 440 m long tunnel and then re-emerge via an approx. 240 m long ramp shortly before Ostermundigen. The tunnel passes under the existing tracks of the connecting line (Olten-Thun) and the A6 motorway bridge. The new Wankdorf tunnel will allow more trains to run on the line, as freight and passenger trains will no longer be travelling on the same tracks.
Visualisation of the new Wankdorf Tunnel from a bird's eye view
Credit/Quelle: SBB/CFF/FFS
The major Wankdorf South–Ostermundigen separation project is part of the federal government's 2025 expansion programme. Together with other projects, it serves to implement the desired improvements for rail transport in the Bern railway junction. The railway line between Bern Wankdorf and Münsingen is currently fully utilised. This project will help to significantly increase passenger and freight transport capacity.
Earliest Possible Start of Construction is Mid-2026
SBB submitted the dossier for the planning approval procedure to the Federal Office of Transport in November 2024. The public presentation of the plans takes place from 24 February to 25 March 2025 at the building inspectorate of the city of Bern and the municipal administrations of Ostermundigen and Ittigen. The earliest possible start of construction on the Wankdorf South-Ostermundigen separation project is planned for mid-2026, depending on the duration of the approval process.
The construction work is expected to take at least 13 years. The long project duration is due to the extremely limited space available in the construction area. The work will be carried out in the narrow corridor between the busy railway lines and the motorway bridge, as well as during ongoing railway operations. The construction process is designed to minimise the negative impact on travellers for the duration of the works.
The overall project is expected to cost around 707 million Swiss francs and will be financed via the federal government's 2025 expansion programme.
