The new tunnel would aim to relieve the A2 motorway in Basel which suffers from significant congestion, with the Schwarzwaldtunnel – Hagnau – Augst section particularly affected. With increasing volumes of traffic and no relief in sight, the aim is to provide a new transport link between Birsfelden, a town to the east of Basel, and the northern section (Rhine tunnel) of the main A2 motorway to/from Germany and France.
The basic engineering services assignment will aim to determine the optimal lines of the new tunnel connections and the overall feasibility of the project. The assignment is expected to be completed in 2021.
Building tunnels in urban environments can be particularly challenging due to the limited amount of available space.
"The use of mild construction methods with the aim of affecting traffic and residents' quality of life as little as possible is at the same time of major importance. We are pleased to bring our experience in tunnel planning and realisation in the inner-city area to this project," declares Nicolas Hessler, head of Pöyry Switzerland's Tunnel Construction Section and project manager.
The value of the order is not disclosed. The order has been recognised within the Regional Operations Business Group order stock in Q2/2016.
