By Lynda Myer
As part of the strategic development program for railway infrastructure, development stage 2035 (PRODES EA 2035), a new direct railway line is due to be constructed between Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds, whereas this new infrastructure is also an important component of the cantonal Mobility 2030 project, accepted by the population of Neuchâtel in 2016.
With intention of combining steep slopes (up to 50%) with a high operating speed (up to 130 km/h), the new line is slated to decrease travel time between Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds from the currently 28 minutes to 15 minutes following its entry into service, while introducing a quarter-hour frequency of trains between Neuchâtel, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle.
In 2020 the planning for this major project was commenced by SBB, on behalf of the Federal Office of Transport (FOT). Additionally, the preliminary study has now been completed and last September 7th, 2023 the partners (Canton of Neuchâtel, Federal Office of Transport and SBB) presented the chosen variant of the route of the new railway line.
The location of almost 90% of the new infrastructure will be in tunnels and the opted route provides for the creation of an intermediate station at Cernier, where trains can cross, whereas it is going to serve as a multimodal public transport hub for all of Val-de-Ruz. The 16 km line will be on the surface for approximately 1.4 km. This solution is the most efficient from an economic and security point of view; it complies with environmental and technical requirements.
Near the Mail Bridge, in the Portes-Rouges district is the scaduled place for the tunnel entrance portal in Neuchâtel, while the determined portal location in La Chaux-de-Fonds is the northwest of the existing railway tunnel. The link to the current railway line will be south of the Malakoff bridge and transformation of the Crêt-du-Locle stop into a crossing station is required for implementation of the quarter-hour rate between La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle.
In order to starting the pre-project phase in the fall of 2023 this landmark is effective and over this phase, which is estimated to last around two years, the infrastructure project for the new line is going to be studied in detail with advancing all concepts necessary for its construction and operation. The launching schedule and costs will also be refined within this framework, and providing the awarded financing at this stage of the project, which is at approximately EUR1.46 bn (CHF1.38 bn) (amount including the transformation of the Crêt-du-Locle stop) is up to the Confederation, with cantonal participation for the construction of the Cernier station.
The pre-project phase will be followed by the construction project and impact studies, followed by the public inquiry, planned for the end of the decade. Once construction authorization has been obtained, the 7-10 years works can begin. The commissioning of the new line is therefore planned for the second half of the next decade.
