Renovation and new construction of the Oberburg workshop
In order for a BLS train to run safely, service work must be carried out in a workshop once a week.
Without additional workshop capacity, a service gap is looming from 2027. As a result, a third of BLS trains could only be serviced with a delay or no longer to the extent required. BLS has therefore decided to plan a conversion and expansion of the existing Oberburg workshop.
The construction project
BLS is building an energy-efficient and durable workshop for regular service work. The facility consists of a main and ancillary building. This provides space to build an additional access track to the workshop. This relieves the railway crossing at Oberburg station. The buildings have a wooden façade, the roof will be greened and fitted with solar panels, and rainwater will be stored to clean the trains. BLS is securing more than 100 jobs in the Lower Emmental region.
- 231 KB Fact sheet (German)
Oberburg - a tried and tested site
There has been a railway workshop in Oberburg since 1977 and BLS is an important employer in the region. The site is part of an industrial area and is located on the BLS railway network.
BLS worked with a panel of experts to find the best solution for the conversion and new construction of the Oberburg workshop on the site. The committee recommended the "main and ancillary building" option to BLS. This provides space to build an additional access track to the workshop. This will relieve the railway crossing at Oberburg station.
Construction phases
The new construction of the Oberburg workshop will be tackled in stages
At the start of construction, the access road to the building site will be constructed. Work will continue in the old hall for one and a half years. With the dismantling of the old hall, the service work on the trains will be temporarily outsourced for around a year.
Costs & Schedule
Costs
277 million Swiss francs (cost accuracy +/- 15%)
Schedule
| 11.04.–13.05.2024 | Public consultation |
| 2024/2025 | Planning approval procedure |
| Autumn 2025 | Legally binding building permit |
| 2026/2028 | Realisation of conversion and new construction |
Media releases
- 04.04.2024 Pläne für den Umbau der BLS-Werkstätte Oberburg werden öffentlich aufgelegt
- 08.11.2023 BLS ist mit Planungsarbeiten auf Kurs
- 24.05.2023 Neubau der Werkstätte Oberburg erfolgt gestaffelt
- 26.01.2023 BLS konkretisiert Bauprojekt
- 30.11.2022 Dimension und Anordnung der neuen Werkstätte Oberburg stehen fest
- 24.02.2022 BLS stoppt die Planung einer neuen Werkstätte in Chliforst Nord und prüft Alternative