Swiss underground rail freight project enters audition phase
- Pinnacle Team
- Sep 4
- 1 min read
The Cargo Sous Terrain (CST) project, which represents innovation in Swiss transportation and logistics, has reached a critical turning point. The Swiss Federal Office of Transport (FOT) has initiated an official consultation period for the CST project, moving the plan to build this underground freight-only rail network into a new phase.
Beginning on February 1, 2023, the Swiss cantons affected by the project have the opportunity to submit their opinions on the first CST section connecting Härkingen and Zurich. This process includes the four cantons of Bern, Solothurn, Aargau, and Zurich, and each canton plans to gather various opinions on the project through direct communication with their residents. The CST project, which began in 2013, made significant progress in the summer of 2022 when the Swiss Federal Parliament approved legislation related to underground freight transport.
The goal of CST is to build an underground rail network with individual railcars that can carry two Euro pallets and operate at 30 km/h. This network is expected to connect with regional logistics hubs, providing an efficient and sustainable freight transportation solution. The first drilling tests for a ground survey between Härkingen and Zurich began a year ago, and CST has set a target of beginning operations by 2031. This innovative project is expected to further enhance sustainability and efficiency in Swiss logistics and transportation.
February 2, 2024
