📋 Tender Overview
Scope a 500-kilometre network of tunnels to transport freight between Switzerlands busiest cities.The overall logistics system comprises three componentsTunnel system between urban agglomerations and logistics centersEfficient and low-emission urban fine-tuning city logistics with state-of-the-art means of transportSeamlessly integrated IT solution for fully automated operationCST wants to build a stretch of tunnel between Hrkingen an industrial area with warehousing and distribution facilities and Zurich Switzerlands largest city. Stretching over 67 kilometres this tunnel would run 20 to 100 metres underground have about ten trans-shipment hubs and would cost about CHF3.4 billion 3.7 billion according to CST estimates. It should be up and running by 2031.In a second phase if all things go to plan the network will be extended along the east-west axis from St Gallen to Geneva linking the cities of Basel Bern Lucerne Lausanne and Thun and extending over 500 kilometres.Around CHF100 million has already been secured for the planning stage leading up to the start of construction work in 2026. Project development is moving ahead while the team waits for a final decision on the federal law before parliament. Nine people are working in Olten on detailed route management and are in negotiations with the potential hub locations.The completed network should be ready by around 2045 at a total cost of CHF30-35 billion. Around CHF100 million has already been secured for the planning stage leading up to the start of construction work in 2026. The company behind Cargo sous terrain is Cargo sous terrain AG. It forms the umbrella organisation incorporating all the major parties involved. Numerous Swiss firms in the transport logistics retail finance insurance telecoms and energy sectors are involved in implementing CST as investors shareholders and project partners and are actively working on the solution concept. With government authorities at national and regional levels there is an intensive exchange of expertise.The project is backed by several heavyweights in Switzerlands business world. Investors include Credit Suisse Swiss Railways Cargo Zurich Airport Swisscom Swiss Post insurance firms Helvetia and Mobiliar Holcim Implenia and the Coop and Migros supermarket chains.The project which was launched in 2013 by private investors won favour with 39 members of the Council of States with 1 abstention. In order to proceed the privately funded project requires regulatory legislation and this vote moves the project a step closer to this objective.
