How planning, coordination and cooperation are successfully driving forward the complex Bern West joint venture project.
The “Bern West Capacity Upgrade” is one of the most significant infrastructure projects at the Bern railway hub. As part of a joint venture, RSRG is delivering a long-term expansion project for SBB that places high demands on preparation, organisation and collaboration.
Since the project began in autumn 2024, the three joint venture partners – Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group, Frutiger AG and Marti Bern AG – have been planning and implementing the extensive modification and expansion works. Construction is being carried out in several stages and will continue until 2036.
A key milestone was the 2025 summer cluster. This construction phase involved particularly intensive deployment of personnel and machinery and placed high demands on the coordination of all parties involved. Thanks to careful preparation, clearly defined processes and close coordination within the joint venture and with SBB, this phase was completed successfully.
The focus was on detailed planning long before construction work began. During work preparation, specialists from the contractors, construction management, planning, safety and logistics teams worked closely together. Construction sequences, track possessions and the deployment of machinery and personnel were coordinated at an early stage, always taking ongoing railway operations into account.
During the construction phases, dozens of employees work simultaneously in well-coordinated teams, supported by specialised machinery. Regular coordination, clear responsibilities and open communication are crucial to ensuring ongoing quality, safety and adherence to schedules throughout a long-term major project.
Bern West demonstrates impressively that the success of projects of this kind does not begin on the construction site, but in the office – through forward-looking planning, structured collaboration and shared responsibility.
