HARDBRUECKE TRAM CONNECTION

Next phase of expansion after the Zurich West tram

Over the past years, the City of Zurich has seen strong residential growth and development. This trend will continue in the years to come – especially in Zurich West. In response to these changes, as of the timetable change in December 2011, the area around Pfingstweidstrasse will be serviced by the new Zurich West tram. This will benefit the entire district all the way to Altstetten.

The next tram project on the agenda for the City of Zurich is the Hardbrücke tram connection: a new tram route between Hardplatz and Escher-Wyss-Platz, which will join Zurich West and Hardturmstrasse with Stauffacher and Paradeplatz. These direct connections will lead to shorter travel times as passengers will no longer have to switch from one line to another. In addition, this will relieve some of the pressure on the other tramlines around Zurich main station. And: The important S-Bahn station at Hardbrücke will finally be optimally connected with tram service.

The Cantonal Council approved the Hardbrücke tram connection as part of its authorisation of the ZVV’s strategic policy on 14 February 2011. The Hardbrücke tram connection is an independent project, although the tracks could be used at a later date for an extension of the tramline toward Rosengartenstrasse. 

Operational plan:

When the Hardbrücke tram connection is put into service, the current no. 8 tramline will be extended from Hardplatz to the Hardbrücke station via the Hardbrücke bridge and then onward via Escher-Wyss-Platz to its new terminus at Werdhölzli. The new tram no. 17 taking up service in December 2011 (Zurich main station – Werdhölzli) will cease operations once the new Hardbrücke connection is up and running.

Project organisation:

The project is being jointly planned by the city and canton of Zurich. The project organisation includes representatives from VBZ, the Civil Engineering Office of the City of Zurich, the Cantonal Office of Transport and ZVV.

Costs and financing:

Based on the preliminary project, investment costs are anticipated to be approximately 100 million francs. The federal government is expected to cover 35% of the costs from the infrastructure fund. The investments in the Hardbrücke station itself are not included in this amount.

Dates:

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