Geotech work starts for CST

27 January 2023


Geotechnical investigations have commenced for Switzerland’s proposed underground freight tunnel network, Cargo Sous Terrain (CST).

Test drilling will be carried out at depths of up to 100m and the findings will be used in the planning for the first section from Härkingen to Zurich.

CST will stretch from Geneva to St Gallen, providing a tunnel network for automated, driverless electric freight vehicles. The first 70km section, connecting the Härkingen-Niederbipp hub with Zurich, is scheduled to open in 2031 and CST plans to create a 500km nationwide network by 2045.

In June last year, Switzerland’s Federal Council agreed that the law on underground goods transport would come into effect on August 1, 2022, creating the legal basis for the privately financed freight transport project. CST’s investors include Afry, Pini, Implenia and Siemens.