The RSRG Hauenstein consortium began renovation work on the Hauenstein Base Tunnel on September 3, 2023.
The double-track, 8.1 km long tunnel was built between 1912 and 1916 and is part of the Basel-Olten railway line, one of the main traffic routes for Swiss freight and passenger transport. On average, around 500 freight and passenger trains use the tunnel daily, meaning that a train passes through the tunnel approximately every three minutes.
The renovation is taking place while train operations continue and includes the following main works:
- Renovation of the tunnel vault
- Track replacement: 16 km of track and 16 switches, including track lowering
- Restoration of a 134 m high ventilation shaft in the middle of the tunnel
- Construction of seven new technical niches in the tunnel
- Adjustment of track drainage
- Illuminated handrail along the entire length of the tunnel as a self-rescue measure
- Emergency pools at the portals to collect tunnel water
- Complete re-cabling of the tunnel
The comprehensive renovation of the Hauenstein Base Tunnel is scheduled to be completed by autumn 2027. All work is carried out at night on one of the two tracks, which is closed for construction, while the other remains in operation. This makes organizing the work extremely demanding and requires that safety is ensured with absolute priority and utmost diligence on this project.
