The two tunnels of the future direct neuchâtel rail line-La Chaux-de-Fonds will be dug after the other and not simultaneously, for environmental, security and financial issues. Consequence: the commissioning of the line is postponed from 2038 to 2041.
The choice was announced on Friday in Cernier (ne) by the leaders of this project at more than 1.3 billion francs that are the canton of Neuchâtel, the Federal Office of Transport (OFT) and the SPFs. The rail line aims to divide by two the journey time between Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds, at 15 minutes against 28 today.
It was a question of knowing if the two tunnels (Chaumont and Vu Vue-des-Alpes) were to be dug simultaneously or one after the other, first the tunnel of the bottom followed by that of the upper, explained the state councilor Laurent Favre, in charge of the file. The steering committee decided to favor the second solution.
>> To reread: The layout of the future line between Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds is known
Multiple advantages
The solution of a single attack point makes it possible in particular to reduce the inconvenience for the inhabitants of Val-de-Ruz: the construction zones will take up less space and transport by truck in the villages will be reduced by some 170,000 passages. The chosen option will therefore have a “very positive” impact on traffic density according to the authorities.
Same thing for safety and CO2 emissions compared to the variant of the two tunnels excavated at the same time. As it stands, staggered drilling would also cost 80 million francs less than simultaneous excavation, described David Fattebert, regional director of SBB for French -speaking Switzerland.
“This is an important aspect, knowing that cost control remains a challenge,” added Laurent Favre. The duration of carrying out, estimated in autumn 2023 between 7 to 10 years, is now set at around 10 years. This is why it is possible today to articulate a commissioning horizon at 2041, it is explained.
Continuation of studies
The project leaders consider the adaptation of the calendar acceptable. “It is counterbalanced by financial, security and environmental benefits,” noted Christophe Beuret, head of the OFT infrastructure division.
The pre-project phase will now continue until the spring of 2026. Among the points to be specified are the management of site materials as well as the measures related to the concept of rescue and evacuation in the event of an event on the line. This phase will be followed by the construction project and impact studies, which will succeed the public inquiry, scheduled before 2030.
Once the building permission is obtained, the work will be able to start. The municipalities concerned are closely involved and associated in the rest of the process. Laurent Favre stressed the importance that the line takes in his eyes, both for mobility in the Jura arc and for east-west rail traffic.
>> Read also: Confederation wants to prioritize road and rail projects
Radio subject: Deborah Sohlbank
Article web: ats/rad
