Executive Summary

The Swiss Federal Council opened the consultation procedure on "Traffic '45" on June 19, 2026. The proposal coordinates infrastructure projects for rail and road until 2045 and is based on key parameters from January 28, 2026. The consultation runs until October 9, 2026. Core elements include rail expansion (increased frequency, new lines, strategic network elements), targeted expansion of national highways at bottlenecks, and 1.68 billion francs in federal contributions for 40 agglomeration projects. All funding comes from the National Highway and Agglomeration Transport Fund (NAF) – financed 100 percent by users.

Persons

Topics

  • Transport infrastructure
  • Rail expansion
  • National highways
  • Agglomeration transport
  • Long-term planning 2045

Clarus Lead

"Traffic '45" marks a paradigm shift in Swiss mobility policy: for the first time, rail and road are bundled in a single, prioritized proposal – a response to cost overruns in rail expansion and the public's rejection of the 2023 expansion step. To achieve this, the Federal Council is eliminating 68 smaller to medium-sized projects (2.5 billion CHF) and 31 national highway projects (16 billion CHF) to refocus resources. The ETH Zurich-based prioritization signals: financial constraints force strategic focus rather than expansion – a critical message for cantons and regions with eliminated projects.

Detailed Summary

The "Traffic '45" proposal addresses two central challenges: the financing gap in rail expansion requires extension of the VAT mill in favor of the rail infrastructure fund (with mandatory referendum). In parallel, projects have been radically reprioritized – based on an ETH expert report commissioned in January 2025, which assessed feasibility and cost-efficiency.

Rail Expansion: By 2030, the Biel–Geneva connection will be improved. By 2035, the quarter-hourly service Bern–Zurich and half-hourly services Basel–Zurich and Bern–Lucerne will be established. Freight transport will receive additional capacity on the west-east axis (Lausanne–Zurich via Biel). By 2045, strategic network elements will follow: direct line Neuchâtel–La Chaux-de-Fonds, station expansions in Geneva and Basel, Zimmerberg base tunnel II, fourth track Zurich Stadelhofen, first phase of through-station Lucerne, and Grimsel tunnel. The original "Basel centerpiece" was rejected as not feasible; an alternative is being developed with the Basel cantons.

National Highways: The Federal Council is focusing on two A1 projects in the 2027 expansion step – six-lane expansion Aarau-East to Birrfeld (west-east axis) and six-lane expansion Perly–Bernex (Geneva bypass). By 2045, eight additional targeted sections will follow. Instead of expansion, the federal government is relying on operational measures (e.g., temporary hard shoulder use) at bottlenecks. Rejected projects such as Le Vengeron–Nyon will not be pursued further.

Agglomeration Transport: The 5th generation receives 1.68 billion CHF for 40 agglomerations. Flagship projects include Franca-Magnani Bridge Zurich, station square Olten, bypass Hasle near Burgdorf, transport hub Grand-Saconnex/Airport, and tram extension St-Genis-Pouilly near Geneva.

For operation and maintenance of national highways (2028–2031), the Federal Council is planning 9.46 billion CHF. Rail infrastructure operation is secured until 2028; a separate proposal will follow for 2029–2032.

Key Messages

  • The Federal Council bundles rail and road for the first time in an integrated mobility strategy until 2045 with prioritized projects.
  • 68 smaller to medium-sized rail projects (2.5 billion CHF) and 31 national highway projects (16 billion CHF) are being eliminated – a result of ETH prioritization and limited financing.
  • Rail expansion by 2035: quarter-hourly service Bern–Zurich, half-hourly services on core routes; by 2045 strategic network elements such as Zimmerberg base tunnel II and through-station Lucerne.
  • National highways: targeted bottleneck elimination (A1 Aarau-East to Birrfeld, Geneva bypass); renunciation of expansion in favor of operational measures.
  • 1.68 billion CHF for 40 agglomeration projects (5th generation); all investments financed 100% by users (NAF).

Critical Questions

  1. Data Quality: What specific cost increases in rail expansion led to the reprioritization, and how transparently are the ETH evaluation criteria for eliminated projects documented?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: How were cantons and regions with eliminated projects involved in the prioritization, and is there a risk of lobbying during parliamentary treatment?

  3. Causality: Is the focus on bottleneck elimination (rather than comprehensive expansion) scientifically justified, or is it a cost-cutting logic that jeopardizes long-term mobility goals?

  4. Constitutional Amendment: How likely is acceptance of the VAT mill extension (mandatory referendum), and what scenarios exist in case of rejection?

  5. Feasibility: Are the 9.46 billion CHF for operation and maintenance (2028–2031) sufficient to ensure the integrity of existing infrastructure without delaying construction projects?

  6. Alternatives: Why was the "Basel centerpiece" only rejected after planning – could an earlier feasibility review have saved costs?

  7. Side Effects: Does the elimination of 31 national highway projects increase pressure on cantonal roads and divert traffic to agglomerations?

  8. Timeline: Is the message to Parliament for early 2027 realistic, and how long will parliamentary treatment take until a possible vote?

Sources

Primary Source: Federal Council Opens Consultation on "Traffic '45" – news.admin.ch, 19.06.2026

Supplementary Sources:

  1. UVEK: Dossier Traffic '45
  2. Fact Sheets (UVEK Website)
  3. Technical Reports of Transport Authorities (BAV, ASTRA, ARE)

Verification Status: ✓ 19.06.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 19.06.2026