Renovation and new construction of the Oberburg workshop

Is it possible to simply build the same workshop/project in Oberburg?

No. The site in Oberburg is smaller and has a different shape than Chliforst Nord. The surrounding area is also completely different. That’s why we can’t simply relocate the project. However, important preliminary work has been done that we can adapt and use for planning the new workshop in Oberburg. We also want to build an optimally designed workshop in Oberburg that fits in with the town.

What does 24-hour, 7-day-a-week operation mean for local residents and the surrounding area? How does BLS plan to protect people and animals from these harmful effects?

The new maintenance facility will be in use around the clock, seven days a week. This is where routine maintenance and minor repairs on the trains will be carried out. Maintenance work takes place in the large hall with the gates closed. Major repairs and overhauls will no longer be performed in Oberburg but at the BLS maintenance facility in Bönigen. The impact on residents and the environment is minimized through additional measures. These include motion-activated exterior lighting as well as various structural measures, such as integrating the maintenance yard and delivery area into the main building, omitting windows on the side of the building facing the forest, and darkening the skylights.

What work is carried out at the new Oberburg workshop?

Each train makes a "pit stop" at the workshop once a week. Service work and minor repairs are performed, such as:

• Employees repair broken lights, clogged air conditioning units, jammed doors, or malfunctioning heaters.
• The trains are cleaned inside and out, and any graffiti is removed.
• The trains’ restrooms are emptied and refilled with fresh water.
• Important components such as wheels and brakes are inspected regularly.

How is BLS involving the people directly affected?

BLS places great importance on communicating with and involving the people living in the immediate vicinity of the workshop in Oberburg. It provides regular updates on the project’s progress and maintains communication with the relevant authorities and the affected communities. In addition, BLS offers a consultation hour for residents at the construction site.

What will happen to the community gardens?

The area between the railroad tracks and the Emmendamm was required for the construction of the new workshop and the necessary space for water infiltration. As a result, the existing community gardens had to be removed. The infiltration areas are necessary so that water from impervious surfaces—such as plazas and roofs—can infiltrate into the ground on the site in accordance with legal requirements. Alternative solutions were sought for the affected tenants in collaboration with the Burgdorf Burgergemeinde and the municipality of Oberburg.

Is the floodplain forest affected by the new maintenance facility?

The new Oberburg workshop is located near the floodplain forest. However, legal requirements are being met. Thus, the project does not directly affect the floodplain forest. The integration of the maintenance yard and the delivery area into the new main building will further reduce noise and light emissions. Additional measures include omitting windows on the side of the building facing the forest and darkening the skylights.

How will the frequency of closures at the Lochbachstrasse level crossing change?

Thanks to an additional access track from Hasle, the frequency of closures at the Lochbachstrasse level crossing will remain roughly the same as today. In future, trains coming from the direction of Hasle will be able to enter and leave the workshop directly. This will eliminate the detour via Oberburg station that trains currently have to make for certain journeys. As a result, there will be less pressure on the level crossing at Oberburg station.

The traffic situation around Lochbachstrasse is already very congested today. Won’t the construction work and operation of the BLS workshop put even more pressure on it?

The construction work for the new Oberburg workshop will temporarily generate additional traffic. However, the construction site will mainly be accessed via a temporary access road from Emmentalstrasse. Lochbachstrasse will only be used as an access route to the construction site at the beginning and towards the end of the construction period.

How will the construction site for the conversion and new construction of the workshop be accessed?

The construction site will mainly be accessed via a temporary access road from Emmentalstrasse. This road will cross the railway tracks via a temporary level crossing and lead directly onto the construction site. Lochbachstrasse will only be used as an access route to the construction site at the beginning and towards the end of the construction work.

Why is the pedestrian level crossing only available during part of the construction period?

Since March 2026, a temporary level crossing has provided a safe pedestrian connection between the Auenwald area and Oberburg. However, once construction of the cycle path underpass begins, the pedestrian level crossing will have to be removed because there will no longer be enough space for it. The level crossing is therefore expected to serve as a direct connection to the local recreation area for around one and a half years.

Will the workshop close for the expansion? If so, where will the trains be maintained during that time?

BLS will continue to use the existing service capacities at the Oberburg depot for as long as possible. While the existing hall is being demolished and the track system is being replaced, service operations will be temporarily relocated to Bern Holligen for approximately one year. Major repairs and overhauls will be carried out at the BLS depot in Bönigen. Once construction is complete, BLS will begin operations at the new depot.

What is the exact timeline?

• Construction work begins in October 2025
• Construction of the new workshop in Oberburg and demolition of the existing facility: 2025–2027
• End of 2028: Completion of construction work / 2029: Start of operations