The route of the Zugerberg railway is being renewed

The Zugerberg railway has been reliably transporting the population up Zug's local mountain for more than a century. The funicular railway runs on a track that is over a kilometre long. After 114 years, this now needs to be renewed.

The Zugerberg railway was built in 1906 and put into operation in 1907 to make the Zugerberg accessible to the population as a local recreation area. Today it is one of ten funicular railways in Central Switzerland and reliably transports the people of Zug, hikers and families, mountain bikers and tobogganists, schoolchildren and local residents up the nearby local mountain. The railway runs along a 1280 metre long track, which has withstood the weather and the strain of the railway for 114 years. Thanks to reliable maintenance and targeted renovation measures over the years, it has been possible for this railway line to last as long as it has. Now the route is undergoing a fundamental renovation to ensure that the popular local mountain remains accessible by railway in the future.

Planning in full swing

A comprehensive analysis has shown that a fundamental renewal of the structure is necessary. The new track will run in the same place and will be built partly as an elevated track. This means that the existing tracks will be raised by a few centimetres to half a metre. The elevated track will contribute to stable operations. Fewer interruptions due to snow can be expected, especially in winter. The project team has a clear focus on environmentally friendly construction and realisation. The project team is being supported and advised by a construction biologist.

Start of construction planned for 2022

The tender for the master builder work is underway and the contract should be awarded this year. The necessary planning approval procedure has also been submitted to the Federal Office of Transport (FOT). Zugerbergbahn AG is aiming to complete the construction work in 2022, starting in February and finishing before the onset of winter. During the construction phase, transport to the Zugerberg will be ensured by a railway replacement. Detailed planning is currently underway. Important interest groups such as local residents were informed about the upcoming project at an early stage and their concerns were taken on board.

Further information

The Zugerberg Railway provides regular updates on the construction project on its website at www.zbb.ch/trassee.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Zugerbergbahn