Central Switzerland Road traffic around Lucerne railroad station is being reorganized

The city and canton of Lucerne want to reorganize traffic around Lucerne railroad station. The reason for this is that the planned through station will also lead to more passengers and therefore more traffic on the roads.

The city and canton of Lucerne expect the underground station to go into operation in the 2040s. The increased rail services will mean that around twice as many people will be traveling through the station area as today, they announced on Monday.

The current station square would not be able to cope with the increased traffic and the many people changing trains. Mobility at the station needs to be rethought, said government councillor Fabian Peter (FDP). City Councillor Manuela Jost (GLP) said that the results must be available by the end of 2026 so that they can be coordinated with the further planning of the through station.

Hub of Central Switzerland

The aim is to ensure that Lucerne station can continue to perform its function as the largest transport hub in Central Switzerland even after the opening of the underground station. The city and canton want to tackle the planning together. Peter and Jost therefore signed a project agreement on Monday. The basis for this is the city's test planning, which has been reviewed by the canton.

The central idea is that as few or no buses and cars as possible should turn off at the station. The aim is to ensure that traffic flows more smoothly. In addition, the station square will no longer be dominated by buses and can be upgraded.

More cross-city routes

According to the current planning status, the current bus station by the Seebrücke bridge is to be supplemented by two additional bus stations to the west and east of the station. This should mean that fewer buses have to turn around at the station and that they can be operated as a cross-city route and pass through.

Cars on the Pilatusstrasse-Seebrücke axis should also pass through the station. Zentralstrasse, which runs from Bundesplatz along the tracks to the station, is to be made car-free and become a bus and bicycle axis.

New access to the KKL

Of course, this regime will also have an impact on access to the KKL, said Peter. According to the current plans, the KKL and the reduced station parking lot could be accessed from the Tribschen district. Pedestrian and bicycle connections under the current track field should better connect the station with the surrounding districts.

Overall, the reorganization of road traffic should speed up and strengthen bus traffic. Buses are an important means of getting to and from the station, explained Ruth Aregger, President of the Lucerne Transport Association (VVL).

For this reason, buses are also to be accelerated on the bus network. Peter emphasized the importance of the freeway bypass project. The through station will bring growth on the railways, while the bypass will relieve congestion on the roads.

SDA