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Project facts

ClientSBBProjectModernisation of electrical railway technology on the Solothurn–Moutier lineProject locationSolothurn–Moutier line, SwitzerlandBusiness unitBKW Infra ServicesBKW company involvedBKW RailPeriod2025–2026Project typeModernisation and new constructionTechnology areaTraction power, telecommunications, building technologySectorTransport / railway infrastructure

BKW Rail AG, part of BKW Infra Services, specialises in electrical railway technology. It combines expertise in traction power, radio, technical installations and cable systems, and manages projects across various areas of railway technology.

3modernised stops3Railway technology sectors2025–2026Project period

Modernisation on a tight scheduleTo ensure that trains and passengers can travel safely, punctually and comfortably, reliable railway infrastructure is needed. The electrical railway technology on the line between Solothurn and Moutier was therefore due for modernisation.The work covered several areas at the same time: traction power, telecommunications and building technology. On the southern section, the overhead contact line system was renewed, existing copper line cables were replaced with fibre-optic cables, and the electrical building technology was implemented during the construction of the new Im Holz stop.A particular challenge was the tight time window for implementation. In spring 2025, the southern section was temporarily closed completely for the work. The full closure made it possible to coordinate various construction processes and keep the construction period as short as possible. At the same time, the work had to be planned and coordinated precisely so that the line could be put back into operation as scheduled.

Full closure creates room for implementation

A temporary full closure was used in spring 2025 for the modernisation of the southern section. This enabled the work on the electrical railway systems to be bundled and the various construction processes to be coordinated. At the same time, the construction period was kept as short as possible. BKW Rail carried out work in several areas during this window. This included the detailed planning and implementation of the overhead contact line system as well as the replacement of the existing copper line cables with fibre-optic cables. In the construction of the new Im Holz stop, BKW Rail also took on the detailed planning and implementation of the electrical building systems. Combining various services within a tightly defined time window required precise planning and well-coordinated teams. This allowed the work on the southern section to be completed and the line to be put back into operation as scheduled.

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Railway technology renewed in three areas

On the southern section, BKW Rail modernised the electrical railway technology in three areas: traction power, telecommunications and building technology. BKW Rail was responsible for the detailed design and subsequent implementation of the overhead contact line system. In the field of telecommunications, the existing copper route cables were replaced with fibre-optic cables. BKW Rail was also involved in the construction of the new Im Holz stop. There, the contract included the detailed design and implementation of the electrical building technology. The new infrastructure supplies power to lighting, monitors and ticket validators, among other things.

Ready for the next section of the route

With the completion of the work on the southern section in summer 2025, an important part of the modernisation was implemented. The renewed electrical railway technology includes the overhead contact line system, fibre-optic cables for telecommunications, and the electrical building technology at the Im Holz stop. This was followed by work on the northern section. There, three stops were modernised, existing interlocking cables were replaced, and the overhead contact line was installed. In summer 2026, the line between Solothurn and Moutier could once again be travelled continuously.

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