Demanding Sihlbruggstrasse project almost completed

Photo: Cantonal Engineer Urs Lehmann, Construction Director Urs Hurlimann and Neuheim President Roger Bosshart open the renovated road

Damaged road surface, no cycle track, radii too narrow and poor visibility - the list of the deficiencies that the cantonal road between Sihlbrugg and Neuheim was long. Even worse, there were repeated landslides on the narrow, two-kilometre-long road. These problems should now be a thing of the past - the road has been extensively renovated over a period of one year.

From 4 pm today, the Sihlbruggstrasse from the industrial area in Baar will be reopened, and the ZVB buses will return to their normal route from 11th December. The road remained completely blocked during the construction work. At Monday’s media conference, Construction Director Urs Hürlimann explained that expense was well worth it. "The road needed redevelopment. In order to be able to carry out the work efficiently, comprehensively and cost-effectively, without delays, we were forced to block the road completely. "

Representatives of the cantonal council, the companies involved and the municipalities Neuheim and Baar celebrated the reopening together with the government, and a media conference took place in the Laubaukurve - «the most famous curve in the canton», as Urs Hürlimann put it. The "Rank" had gained doubtful fame because it was regarded as dangerous and unclear.

In the course of the construction work, the radius of the curve has now been increased to 38 meters, requiring the removal of around 9,000 cubic meters of material. Three pile-driving machines were used simultaneously for the extensive piling work. 150 piles with lengths of up to 24 meters and a diameter of 90 centimetres were installed. The construction machines, which had to be secured on the steep terrain, had a workload of 90 tonnes.

The entire restoration will cost around CHF 18.5 million. "This is because the geological conditions were very demanding." explained Hurlimann. A precise statement on the costs can only be made when all the bills are available, however. Cantonal engineer Urs Lehmann: "There are always surprises in construction work, for example due to the soil texture. The planning and execution work was very complex. Things should now be better for a long time. The slide zones are now secured.”

Neuheim president Roger Bosshart believes the investment that has paid off. Safety has been improved with this "massive" construction project. "We appreciate the fact that the canton has invested in this important link for us." But Bosshart is glad that the work is now over. "We can finally breathe. The completion was a challenge, especially for the Neuheim companies. »

The top layer of the road is still missing on the renovated Sihlbruggstrasse. This will be installed on a weekend in spring. "We can then conclude a major project. I hope this road will meet the requirements for the next 40 to 50 years” concluded Urs Hurlimann.