Status of the Basler Durchmesserlinie: Federal Council Defers Commitment

The future of the Basler Durchmesserlinie—a critical infrastructure project aimed at enhancing rail connectivity in the Basel region—remains in a state of planning uncertainty. In recent responses to parliamentary inquiries, the Swiss Federal Council has clarified its position, signaling that a binding commitment for the project will not be included in the upcoming 2027 dispatch.

Infrastructure Planning and the 2031 Horizon

The Federal Council recently unveiled its strategic vision for transport infrastructure development extending to 2045. While the Basler Durchmesserlinie, which includes plans for an underground station at Basel SBB, is a significant component of regional transport discussions, the federal government has opted to move its consideration to the 2031 dispatch.

According to official federal documentation, the goal is to collaborate closely with the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Baselland to develop an alternative solution to the previously discussed “Herzstück” concept. The government intends to finalize a first implementation stage as part of the 2031 legislative package. While projects included in this 2031 framework are expected to begin construction prior to 2045, they are currently projected to become operational only after that date.

Financial and Strategic Scope

The federal government has set aside a total of 2.5 billion Swiss francs for the next two legislative dispatches to address regional transport needs. Regarding the specific development of the Durchmesserlinie, the Federal Council currently estimates costs at 1.6 billion Swiss francs.

Simultaneously, the 2027 dispatch focuses on other critical regional improvements. This includes a 900-million-franc investment dedicated to expanding the western side of the Basel SBB station, which features the reconstruction of the Margarethenbrücke. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to manage urban transport growth and improve transit efficiency in the Basel agglomeration.

Agglomeration Program Updates

Regional transport planning also involves the federal program for agglomeration traffic. While no projects from the Basel region were selected for the fifth generation of this program, which begins in 2028, the outlook for the sixth generation is more expansive. Nine regional projects are currently listed for consideration, reflecting a concerted effort to address infrastructure needs through collaborative planning.

Key projects identified for the sixth generation include:

• The Bachgraben feeder road (407 million francs)
• Tram line extensions, including the route to Weil am Rhein (18 million francs)
• Various urban transit improvements, including the Leonhardsgraben-Basel SBB connection and enhancements to the Wettstein-Schwarzwaldstrasse corridor
• The development of the public transport hub at Basel SBB West

Key Takeaways

• No immediate commitment: The Federal Council has not issued a final rejection, but it has declined to include the Durchmesserlinie in the 2027 dispatch.
• New timeline: Planning efforts for the Durchmesserlinie have been shifted to the 2031 dispatch, with a focus on developing an alternative to the Herzstück project.
• Operational outlook: Large-scale projects under the 2031 planning horizon are anticipated to reach completion after 2045.
• Regional focus: Attention remains on the sixth generation of the agglomeration program, which includes nine distinct infrastructure and transit projects for the Basel area.

As planning progresses, the collaboration between federal authorities and the cantonal governments remains the primary mechanism for balancing regional transit ambitions with national infrastructure priorities. Stakeholders continue to monitor these developments as the 2031 planning cycle approaches.