Basel: Competition decision for SBB West project
Two projects, each worth three million euros, are set to shape the area around Basel's SBB railroad station in the long term.
The Penzel Valier team has won the study contract for the Margarethen platform access and the new Margarethen Bridge in Basel. A green, extended roof is to create a spacious new station concourse for the city's most important public transport hub. The federal government, canton and SBB now want to further develop the overall "Basel SBB West" project and implement it in the 2030s.
The plans are part of the federal, cantonal and SBB concept to expand Basel SBB station for more travelers, move train stops to the west and improve access to rail and urban public transport there. Two major projects under the name "Basel SBB West" combine these two objectives: the Margarethen platform access and the new Margarethen Bridge. Since April 2024, six planning teams have been working on solutions for the design of the two structures as part of a study commission.
In a first step, the cantonally listed SNCF hall will be moved slightly shorter in front of the west wing of SBB station. This is necessary because its supports at the current location are not compatible with the future position of the tracks, according to the City of Basel. Once the new Basel SBB underground station has been built and the temporary passerelle is no longer necessary, the missing section will be rebuilt on this site.
The project envisages a slender supporting structure for the two bridge structures. As a result, the transitions to the neighborhoods are lower than assumed at the beginning of the study commission, particularly on the Gundeldingen side. "This is important in terms of urban planning," emphasizes the city. This is because the new Margarethenbrücke will be higher than the existing bridge. The reason for this is railroad operational requirements. Lower crossings therefore mean that the roads leading to the bridge do not have to be raised as much.
Two projects each worth hundreds of millions
According to estimates based on the winning project, the costs per structure are likely to be in the low to mid three-digit million range. In the case of the Margarethen platform access, the project planning and implementation are basically financed. For the new Margarethen Bridge, the federal government and the canton have agreed to jointly finance the project planning. Funding for implementation has not yet been secured. The projects can be realized independently of each other. The earliest possible start of construction is 2034, which is three years later than previously estimated. "The reason for the later planned start of construction is the very complex requirements of the railroad, urban traffic and monument preservation," it says. SBB and the canton must and want to take these into account in the best possible way. Although this prolongs the planning and project phases, it is essential in order to be able to present an overall project that can be approved. (aw)
