Preparatory work for the Cham-Hünenberg bypass started

The federal government is now definitely contributing CHF 40 million to the major Cham-Hünenberg bypass project – an interview with Construction Director Florian Weber

The Cham-Hünenberg bypass (UCH) is to be opened to traffic in 2027. Costs of around CHF 237 million are currently expected, of which CHF 40 million will be borne by the Confederation.

In January of this year, the decision of the Federal Supreme Court gave the green light for the construction of the Cham–Hünenberg bypass.

Construction Director Florian Weber gives an insight into the planning status and when the work will begin. The ground-breaking ceremony is planned for the beginning of July 2022.

Trees were felled along the Knonauerstrasse in Cham at the beginning of this week. Does this have anything to do with the construction of the Cham-Hünenberg bypass?
Yes, that's correct. The felling of the trees in the construction perimeter of the Cham–Hünenberg bypass (UCH) is one of the first preparatory works of the major project.

How much does the UCH cost according to current knowledge?
As things stand today, we assume that the approved loan of CHF 195 million will be sufficient. Adjusted for index effects, this currently amounts to around CHF 237 million. We are currently in the phase of preparing to allocate the awards. The effective costs ultimately depend on any unforeseen events and the success of the award.

From what sources and means will the construction of the UCH be financed?
The financing of the Cham–Hünenberg bypass is secured by a framework credit approved by the cantonal council (Kantonsrat). The funds for the UCH come from the "Special Financing for Road Construction of the Canton of Zug". As part of the first generation Swiss Agglomeration Programme of 2007, we asked for a participation by the Confederation when submitting the project. The federal government (Bund) will contribute around CHF 40 million to the construction of the Cham–Hünenberg bypass.

Trees were felled this week in preparation for the construction of the Cham-Hünenberg bypass.
Photo: Matthias Jurt, Cham
Interview with Construction Director Florian Weber                  Icon Image
The future route of the Cham-Hünenberg bypass                     Photo: PD

What's happens next in the preparatory work?
We will start the ground work in the area of the Knonauerstrasse in the summer – more precisely with the removal of the earth and the subsequent landfilling in the area of the Cham motorway connection. At the same time, the road construction work on the Alpenblick section node and the motorway connection Zug will start. Road construction work will then begin along the Knonauerstrasse in the autumn of 2022.

What's the schedule?
The official construction work begins with the ground-breaking ceremony. These works will include more extensive preparatory work at several locations in Cham and Hünenberg, as already described. The main work will follow from 2024, including the cutting of the tunnel portals. According to today's planning, we will be able to open the bypass to traffic in 2027.

What has happened so far

2007: The voters of the canton approved the loan for the bypass.

2013: Participation procedure in the population and consequent decision on the “low car traffic centre” variant, which will relieve the centre of Cham.

2015: 124 objections are lodged after the publication.

2020: Three appeals before the Administrative Court were taken to the Federal Supreme Court (Bundesgericht) and were dismissed by it. A team of planners was then put together.

2021: The implementation project is being developed.