ETH report suggests 9 billion for road and 14-24 billion for rail infrastructure until 2045. Rhein- and Rosenbergtunnel as well as Lucerne through-station among top priorities

In 20 years time Rösti’s decisions like the use the expensive and half as less durable “quiet tarmac” instead of 30kph will bankrupt muncipalities.

Deepl translation of the gist 

>A new report by ETH Zurich commissioned by the federal government shows which Swiss transport projects should be prioritized by 2045.
Transport Minister Albert Rösti has provided information on the next steps. According to Rösti, comprehensive discussions are now needed, especially with those directly affected and the cantons.

>The consultation draft, which covers rail, road, and projects in urban areas, is expected to be ready in mid-2026.   

>9 billion Swiss francs for national roads  

>A further 9 billion Swiss francs are available for national roads, with projects worth 4 billion already approved, as Rösti explains. This also shows the ratio of road to rail investment in the future. “A factor of about 1 to 3.5 in favor of rail.”   

>In the case of agglomeration projects, around 1.5 billion will be invested in four-year increments. “That would then be 7.5 billion.”   

>This framework has been given to ETH as the maximum possible funding.   

(Says to assume a 3.5 ratio in favor of rail, but the rail funding is isn’t guaranteed whereas roads infra is)     

>”Up to 24 billion could be made available”   

>Albert Rösti now turns to the financial framework. With these measures, up to an additional 24 billion Swiss francs could be made available for rail expansion over the next 20 years. “These additional funds would come from an extension of the VAT surcharge and a suspension of repayments from the FinöV fund. However, these are only two of several measures being considered. “Only measures that comply with the debt brake will be implemented,” said Rösti.

>”The fact is that if we do not take measures on the revenue side, CHF 10 billion less will be available,” said Rösti. “That is why Professor Weidmann presents two scenarios in his study: a financial portfolio of CHF 14 billion and one of CHF 24 billion. Yesterday, the Federal Council instructed the DETEC to also include, examine and present the 24 billion variant. Regarding the framework: it is clear that with 14 billion, very tough priorities will have to be set, whereas with 24 billion, the situation is different. Then it will be possible to realize what can actually be built with the available skilled labor resources.”  

>Mantelerlass is not a political ploy  

>Bundesrat Rösti justified the blanket decree by saying that it would enable comprehensive planning. “Isn’t this a ploy to force the left-wing and green parties to agree to the motorway projects?” asked one journalist. It cannot be considered a ploy, as it has been stated that the rail and motorway projects will continue to be submitted as separate federal decrees.

https://www.tdg.ch/rapport-weidmann-larc-lemanique-prioritaire-pour-le-rail-123726781652:
> When we look at the volume of rail investment recommended by the expert by region, we see that the Zurich metropolitan area, as usual, takes the lion’s share. It could receive between 8.6 and 10.5 billion, depending on the Confederation’s resources, while the “Lake Geneva and Western Alps” region would receive only between 4.6 and 8.4 billion.

As always, Romandie is left behind… Let’s give more money to the rail in Zürich, where the train is faster every year, and less where it’s slowing down (https://www.rts.ch/info/suisse/2025/article/trains-ralentis-en-romandie-le-defi-du-transport-de-masse-explique-28732230.html).