Construction projects in the Bernese Oberland Spring 2023
In recent years, Zentralbahn has carried out multiple renovation projects on the track, bridges, retaining walls and tunnels on the section of the route between Meiringen and Interlaken Ost. A period of total closure lasting six weeks ended on 27 November 2022. During this time, the Ebligen and Brienz West stops were structurally adapted and the train path was completely reconstructed between Meiringen and Brienz West in line with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). Preparations for the renovation of Oberried station were also carried out. Various construction works will be carried out on the tracks and platforms during the upcoming closure from 27 February to 2 April 2023. In addition to the work in Oberried, another section of the route near Brienz from Stägmattstrasse to Hegerweg is being renovated.
In recent years, Zentralbahn has carried out multiple renovation projects on the track, bridges, retaining walls and tunnels on the section of the route between Meiringen and Interlaken Ost. A period of total closure lasting six weeks ended on 27 November 2022. During this time, the Ebligen and Brienz West stops were structurally adapted and the train path was completely reconstructed between Meiringen and Brienz West in line with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). Preparations for the renovation of Oberried station were also carried out. Various construction works will be carried out on the tracks and platforms during the upcoming closure from 27 February to 2 April 2023. In addition to the work in Oberried, another section of the route near Brienz from Stägmattstrasse to Hegerweg is being renovated.
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Overview of construction work
In spring 2023, various renovation works will be continued and implemented between Meiringen and Oberried. You can find a schedule below. Rail operations will continue without restrictions. This work includes:
- Dismantling of the installations from the closure of autumn 2022 and restoration of the used areas
- Remaining work on the track and the engineering structures
- Preparatory work with pouring of construction strips and installation sites
During this time, the railway line will be closed to regular rail traffic between Meiringen and Interlaken and the entire overhead line will be deactivated. Rail replacement buses will operate. Please check the online timetable at sbb.ch/en/timetable before travelling or refer to the replacement bus timetable.
Individual projects in detail
The single-track Zentralbahn railway line between Meiringen and Brienzwiler is located in the Hasli-Aare flood zone. The existing railway embankment, including the superstructure, is regularly flooded. Heavy rainfall and flooding repeatedly cause damage to infrastructure and the cultivated land behind it. Zentralbahn is therefore renovating this section of track in two stages. Work on the first stage has now been completed and the second stage is planned for autumn 2025.
Flood protection is an integral part of the track renewal. In addition to the track, the overhead line will also be replaced. The approximately 6.4-kilometre-long section to be renovated is divided into three lots.
- Lot 1 (Liechtenen–Junzlen)
The main work on this section of the route has been completed. Follow-up and clean-up work is still being carried out. - Lot 2 (Junzlen–Unterbach)
The renovation of this section will be implemented in autumn 2025. - Lot 3 (Unterbach–Brienzwiler stop)
The main work on this section of the route has been completed. Follow-up and clean-up work is still being carried out.
On 27 and 28 February 2023, the Stickli level crossing (Hausenstrasse) will be closed for surfacing work. Diversions are signposted. These dates may change depending on the weather. (See also the document “Diversion of Meiringen railway level crossing Stickli 27 and 28 February 2023” under Downloads).
Objectives of the construction project
- Flood protection (property protection) of the railway infrastructure and – taking into account the specifications of the flood protection project introduced by the Canton – of the land on the right bank by raising the railway embankment and building a protective wall in front of it
- Track replacement with substructure and superstructure renovation using a durable system with asphalt separation layer
- Renovation of the contact line system including repositioning of the masts on the side facing away from the river
During the 2022 autumn closure, the first stage of the total renovation of the approximately 1.5-kilometre-long section of track between the Talguet level crossing and Lauimatte was successfully completed. In addition, the Brienz underpass was renovated, supporting structures were constructed at Gurgenbach and the Lauimatte Brienz Waste Disposal and Recycling Centre and parts of the remaining underpasses were constructed. Implementation of the full renovation was originally planned in two stages. The total closure in spring 2023 will now be used to renovate a further section of around 600 metres between Stägmattgasse and Hegerweg.
There are two level crossings on this section of the line, which will be closed during the total closure. Due to the closure of the level crossing, access to the Lauimatte Brienz Waste Disposal and Recycling Centre will not be possible via Hauptstrasse/Faulbachweg during this period. Visitors can access the site via Seestrasse/Faulbachweg instead. A diversion will be signposted.
In autumn 2025, the remaining section of around 1.4 kilometres between Hegerweg and Brienz station will be renovated in a third and final stage.
Objectives of the construction project
- Track renewal with substructure and superstructure renovation
- Adaptation of the track drainage
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) stipulates for public transport that new vehicles and new stops, as well as those being converted for reasons of maintenance, network expansion, operational safety or similar, must meet the needs of age and disability-restricted passengers. Among other things, level access is required.
Conversion of the Brienz West stop
The main work on the conversion of the Brienz West stop has been completed. The final follow-up and clean-up work is being carried out.
Conversion of the Ebligen stop
At the Ebligen stop, the platform was raised to 35 centimetres and extended to a length of 125 metres. The substructure and superstructure of the railway line in the direct platform area were renovated and the access path to the station was repaired. The main work has been completed. Work is still being carried out on the surrounding area.
Conversion of Oberried station
The track in the station area needs to be renovated; disabled access has only been partially achieved. During the course of this renovation, there are plans to adapt the entire station area to the new requirements.
During the last total closure in spring 2023, demolition work was carried out in preparation for the main work. This included installation of a new technical cabin, the lifting into place of the tunnel elements for the pedestrian underpass and installation of elements of the new overhead line system. The main work and the finishing work on the conversion of the track system and the station area will be carried out during the upcoming total closure. Further work will be carried out in the meantime to ensure that the time window for the next total closure is sufficient.
Planned construction work until the spring 2023 closure
- Completion of the hill-side ramp for the pedestrian underpass
- Excavation of the lake-side ramp for the pedestrian underpass
- Difference walls in the station area
- Creation of additional installation areas
- Construction of overhead line foundations inside and outside the station area (night work)
If work is being carried out between 7am and 5pm in the time windows listed below, people in the track area will be alerted to approaching trains by an acoustic signal from an automatic radio warning system (Minimel). This warning system improves occupational safety and will be used in the time windows listed below.
- 28 November 2022 to 24 February 2023
- 3 April 2023 to 30 June 2023 (night work)
We kindly ask residents for their understanding.
Total closure in spring 2023 from 27 February to 2 April 2023
During the total closure next spring, the renovation work will be completed and then the areas worked on will be restored.
The work planned during the total closure includes:
- Completion of the new pedestrian underpass
- Construction of two new platforms, each 190 metres long
- Substructure renovation incl. replacement of rails, sleepers and points
- Completion of the new overhead line system
- Construction of new public areas and furnishings
- Construction of new car park to the east of the station building
Rail replacement stops
Bicycle racks are available for customers at the “Gmeindshuus” and “Louwena” temporary stops.
Access to village shop
Access to the village shop in the station building is ensured, but space in the entrance area is limited. We kindly ask customers and residents for their understanding.
Helicopter deployment to install the overhead line masts
On 16 March 2023 – or on 17 March 2023, depending on the weather – the overhead line masts above Oberried station will be flown in by helicopter between 8am and 5pm. We ask residents living in the immediate vicinity of the station area to remove or secure loose objects or light materials (e.g. clothes, tarpaulins, cardboard boxes, flower pots) and to keep sunshades and blinds closed or retract them.
Refurbishment of the retaining wall at the Ringgenberg viaduct
For structural reasons, the existing retaining wall at Büeliweg 2 to 4 in Ringgenberg needs to be replaced. As part of these works can only be carried out during a full line closure, Zentralbahn plans to implement this refurbishment during the upcoming closure from 27 February to 2 April 2023. Afterwards, the remaining finishing works, such as the drainage of the viaduct and the refurbishment of the forecourt from previous closures, will be carried out. Further details can be found in the information letter sent to the directly affected residents.
Refurbishment works in Brunnengasse, Kirchgasse and Grubengasse
From 2 May to 26 May 2023, refurbishment works will be carried out in Brunnengasse, Kirchgasse, Bürgliweg, Grubengasse and the access road to Hübeli. Further details can be found in the information letter sent to the directly affected residents.
Line interlocking system
The signalling and interlocking systems along the railway line between Meiringen and Interlaken Ost have reached the end of their service life. In two phases, the interlockings on this section will be renewed and combined into a single line interlocking system. As part of the project “Line interlocking Brienzwiler–Oberried”, the first phase will be implemented during this full line closure. The project also includes two new block sections (additional signals) between Meiringen and Brienzwiler (Unterbach) and between Brienz and Oberried (Ebligen), which will also be installed during this closure. These are essential for the 2035 expansion step, the second phase of the Federal Government’s and SBB’s Strategic Development Programme (STEP), in order to ensure the required timetable stability and increased capacity.
Resulting restrictions and inconvenience
Zentralbahn plans its construction projects over the long term. Wherever possible, projects are bundled and carried out in short, intensive construction phases with very compact work programmes. Full line closures are unavoidable, as they make it possible to minimise the impact on local residents and travellers and to limit it in time. At the same time, this approach increases occupational safety and the quality of the works.
Construction noise
The construction works, which will continue until the end of February 2023 for final and preparatory works, generally take place from Monday to Friday between 7.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.
If night-time works are required, information will be published directly on zentralbahn.ch/nachtarbeiten. Zentralbahn strives to keep noise emissions to a minimum.
During the full line closure, construction works generally take place from Monday to Saturday between 6.00 a.m. and 11.00 p.m. During this time, some noise-intensive activities are unavoidable. In order for rail operations to resume, certain works must be completed by the end of the closure. Depending on construction progress, work on Sundays may therefore be necessary, and occasional night-time works may also occur.
In Oberried, due to the tight construction schedule and work progress, works are planned from Monday to Sunday between 5.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m.
Rail traffic disruptions
During the full line closure from 27 February to 2 April 2023, replacement bus services will operate between Meiringen and Interlaken. Please allow for additional travel time. Customer service staff in Brienz and Interlaken Ost will provide information on site. Detailed timetable information can be found in the SBB online timetable at sbb.ch/fahrplan and on zentralbahn.ch.
Road traffic disruptions
Access to adjacent properties will be maintained; however, some disruptions are to be expected. Where necessary, diversion routes will be signposted. The construction sites will be secured by the construction companies. For your own safety, we kindly ask you to respect the barriers.
Construction traffic will lead to increased traffic volumes and may result in short waiting times. Where necessary, for example in Oberried, traffic control services will be deployed. We thank you for your understanding.