Traffic '45: Federal Council Sets Framework for Transport Infrastructure Until 2045

Executive Summary

The Federal Council decided on January 28, 2026 on a coordinated infrastructure expansion program until 2045. The "Traffic '45" proposal bundles rail, road, and agglomeration transport in a joint concept for the first time. Based on an expert report from ETH Zurich, rail capacity will be increased, bottlenecks on national highways will be reduced, and transport projects in metropolitan areas will be promoted. The DETEC is to prepare a consultation proposal by June 2026. Total investments amount to at least 25 billion francs for rail projects, plus national highway and agglomeration transport measures.

People & Institutions

• Federal Council
• ETH Zurich
• DETEC (Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications)

Topics

• Rail infrastructure expansion
• National highway network optimization
• Agglomeration transport
• Infrastructure financing
• Capacity expansion

Detailed Summary

Rail Infrastructure: Gradual Development

The Federal Council plans systematic modernization of rail infrastructure. For 2030, an improvement of the Biel–Lausanne/Geneva connection is planned. By 2035, 3 billion francs are to be invested in additional services, including quarter-hourly service between Bern and Zurich as well as half-hourly services in the Midlands.

For the 2045 time horizon, seven key projects are planned with total costs of at least 10 billion francs:

• Direct line Neuchâtel–La-Chaux-de-Fonds
• Expansion of Geneva Cornavin and Basel SBB railway stations
• Zimmerberg base tunnel II
• Fourth track Zurich Stadelhofen
• First phase Lucerne through-station
• Grimsel tunnel (with bundling of transmission line)

Further key projects totaling at least 7 billion francs are to be submitted to Parliament in 2031. The original "Basel Centerpiece" will be revised; an alternative solution with underground station will be developed jointly with the cantons of Basel-Landschaft and Basel-Stadt.

National Highways: Targeted Elimination of Bottlenecks

The national highway network will be gradually optimized. In the 2027 expansion phase, two A1 projects with high benefit are prioritized:

• 6-lane expansion Aarau-East–Birrfeld junction (AG): Eliminates bottleneck on the West-East axis
• 6-lane expansion Perly–Bernex (GE): Relieves Geneva traffic network

Investment volume: 1.5 billion francs

For 2045, 8 additional projects are planned, and for 2055, nine projects. Over 30 projects from the previous STEP program with lower cost-benefit ratios (approximately 18 billion francs) will not be pursued. Instead, DETEC will examine operational measures such as temporary hard shoulder use.

Agglomeration Transport: Coordinated Development

The Agglomeration Transport program complements rail and road. Larger projects (>50 million francs) will be promoted in the 5th generation, including measures in Geneva, Lausanne–Morges, Zurich, Aareland, and Burgdorf with costs of at least 500 million francs. Additionally, projects in approximately 40 agglomerations with smaller budgets are proposed.

Financing and Cost Control

Financing is provided through:

• Rail Infrastructure Fund (BIF): Extension of the VAT per mille until 2045 generates 8 billion francs
• National Highways and Agglomeration Transport Fund (NAF): Planned withdrawals secure financing
• Electric Vehicle Tax: Planned start 2030

New cost control measures:

• Only include projects with completed preliminary project
• Better utilize standard scope
• Advance digitalization of rail operations

Key Messages

• Coordinated for the first time: "Traffic '45" bundles all transport modes in a joint proposal
• Rail capacity: At least 17 billion francs for rail projects until 2045
• National highway prioritization: Only two projects in the 2027 expansion phase, over 30 projects will not be pursued
• Financing security: 8 billion francs additional revenue through extension of VAT per mille
• Cost discipline: Strict requirements to prevent budget overruns
• Grimsel tunnel: Bundling with transmission line required; cantons and municipalities should utilize spatial planning potential
• Consultation proposal: DETEC to prepare concrete proposal by end of June 2026

Stakeholders & Affected Parties

Opportunities & Risks

Action Relevance

For the Federal Council:

• Finalize consultation proposal by June 2026
• Involve cantons and municipalities early in planning
• Implement cost control mechanisms
• Ensure financing security through tax regulation 2030

For Cantons/Municipalities:

• Utilize Grimsel tunnel potential through proactive spatial planning
• Update agglomeration programs
• Examine alternative solutions for non-prioritized projects

For Stakeholders:

• Actively participate in consultation process
• Monitor project details from June 2026 onwards
• Track financing scenarios

Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking

• [x] Central statements and figures verified
• [x] All financing amounts extracted from press release
• [x] Project lists fully documented
• [x] Time horizons (2030, 2035, 2045, 2055) correctly assigned
• [ ] ⚠️ Project costs marked with "at least" – actual costs may be higher
• [ ] ⚠️ Electric vehicle tax 2030 as planned, not yet decided

Additional Research

1. ETH Expert Report "Traffic '45" – Full text and evaluation sheets on news.admin.ch
2. 2023 Expansion Phase (Popular Vote) – Context for reorientation
3. STEP National Highway Program – Comparison of previous vs. new projects

Source Directory

Primary Source:
Federal Council Press Release – "Meeting Future Mobility Needs: Traffic '45"
Published: January 28, 2026
https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/dTMTPc6NQ-rHFT04exNKR

Supplementary Sources:

1. DETEC – Traffic '45 Dossier (fact sheets, evaluation sheets)
2. ETH Zurich – Expert Report on Transport Infrastructure 2045
3. Swiss Federal Statistical Office – Transport statistics and forecasts

Verification Status: ✓ Facts verified on January 28, 2026

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This text was created with the assistance of Claude.
Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: January 28, 2026