Planning & building

The project is not set in stone yet. Nevertheless, the Lucerne through station (DBL) employs the population. DBL project manager Massimo Guglielmetti and mayor Daniel Gasser are now providing information on the current status.

Mr Guglielmetti, at what point in the planning are SBB today?

Massimo Guglielmetti: We are at the beginning of the preliminary project phase. The construction and edition project will follow later. Planning and the approval process take ten years. Construction is scheduled to begin in the early 1930s. The prerequisite is that the parliament in Bern approves the construction.

What is to be created in Ebikon?

Guglielmetti: Lucerne train station is being expanded with four underground tracks. South of Ebikon station, the turnoff in the direction of the tunnel to the Lucerne underground station and the tunnel portal are planned. This guarantees that Ebikon will remain connected to the Lucerne – Zug – Zurich main line in the future.

Mr. Gasser, the community has also benefited from the major project?

Daniel Gasser: The connection to public transport (ÖV) will be significantly better. This means that there will be a quarter-hourly service in the direction of Lucerne/Sursee and Zug. Such improvements make Ebikon more attractive as the center of the Rontal. Be it for the settlement of new service providers or as a residential area in a beautiful and central location.

Guglielmetti: Today, the journey from Ebikon to Lucerne takes eight minutes. This time is roughly halved with the DBL. In addition, Regio-Express trains are held in Ebikon. The journey to Zurich WILL be significantly faster and it WILL no longer be necessary to change trains.

Be honest, a construction project of this size causes emissions.

Guglielmetti: Construction work is always associated with emissions. It will be no different in Ebikon. However, in order for the project to be approved at all, numerous proofs of compliance with prescribed values ​​must be provided. The SBB are also making sure that the construction work takes place outside the village center as far as possible. For example, separate roads outside the residential area are being examined for access to construction sites.

It is also built in the residential area?

Guglielmetti: That cannot be prevented entirely. But if the SBB has to build in an inhabited area, it attaches great importance to informing the residents first. In addition, work that causes noise is avoided as far as possible at night and at weekends.

Mr. Gasser, the billion dollar project is managed by the federal government. What influence does the municipality of Ebikon have?

Gasser: Protecting residents is a top priority for the community. This applies to the construction phase and later to the operation of the route with additional trains per hour. Although the legal requirements are in place, we can exert influence, above all indirectly, through good cooperation with the SBB.

Citizens can get involved?

Gasser: As always, Äbikers can get involved by contacting the municipality directly. Of course, we will also hold information events together with the client. In the current stage of the preliminary project, however, it is still too early for that. In this phase, many things have not been resolved and will change again accordingly.

Mr. Guglielmetti, has the first work already been carried out in Ebikon?

Guglielmetti: Geological investigations were carried out as part of the preliminary project. In the Rotsee area, the soil is poorly stable. We have to stake, but it’s solvable.

What are the first construction steps that are expected in Ebikon
will come?

Guglielmetti: First of all, the Ebikon station has to be expanded so that not only S-Bahn but also Regio-Express trains can stop in the future, which enable faster connections to Rotkreuz, Zug and Zurich. This requires an overall view of the Lucerne-Zurich axis.