Basel SBB station has long since reached its limits. Over 140,900 people use it every day, and the trend is rising. With the Basel SBB West project, the partners are preparing the station for this development. A comprehensive extension is planned in the west of the site, where the train stop will be moved further west in future and additional access to urban traffic will be created. Two closely linked sub-projects form the core, the Margarethen platform access and the new construction of the Margarethen Bridge.
The new passenger bridge for the Margarethen platform access is to run parallel to the existing Margarethen Bridge. It will be around 16.5 meters wide, have stairs, escalators and lifts and provide access to all platforms. To make this possible, SBB is extending several platforms to the west and adapting the track layout. The project thus responds to the expected growth in rail traffic and at the same time relieves the existing passerelle at the main station.
Linking rail and city
In addition to rail planning, urban integration plays a central role. The canton of Basel-Stadt is planning a new multimodal transportation hub to the west of the station, at the Markthalle site. Here, the transfer between train, streetcar, bus and bicycle is to become even more efficient in future. This reorganization will relieve the overcrowded Centralbahnplatz and enable a more balanced traffic regime in the city center.
The Margarethen platform access is more than just a bridge. It will become a link between the new urban traffic axes and the rail network. It offers space, light and orientation. Features that are particularly important in highly frequented traffic zones.
A new Margarethen Bridge with a signal effect
The second sub-project is dedicated to the renewal of the Margarethen Bridge. The existing bridge is owned by SBB and only meets current safety requirements for heavy goods traffic with restrictions. In addition, it does not meet the future requirements of SBB and the canton on both the rail and road sides. The new bridge will therefore not only be structurally more efficient, but also significantly wider – 27 meters compared to 16.3 meters today. This will create space for a barrier-free streetcar stop in the middle of the bridge as well as wider footpaths and cycle paths.
A temporary auxiliary bridge is planned during the construction period. The possibility of integrating this temporary structure into the new building at a later date is being examined. This solution should minimize construction interruptions and ensure urban mobility during the entire implementation phase.
The winning project by Penzel Valier
In the spring of 2025, an assessment panel of independent experts and representatives from SBB and the canton evaluated the proposals of six interdisciplinary planning teams as part of a study commission. The contract was awarded to Penzel Valier. Their design impresses with a generous, flexibly expandable roof that spans both the new streetcar stop on Margarethenbrücke and the platforms. This creates a hall-like space that characterizes the western part of the station.
The roof fulfills several functions at the same time. It brings daylight onto the platforms, protects against the weather and allows the installation of photovoltaic systems and greenery. In terms of urban planning, this creates a harmonious link between the SBB station, the listed SNCF hall and the adjacent Gundeldingen and St. Johann districts.
The SNCF hall itself will be retained in the context of the French part of the station and in its function as a platform canopy. This was a key concern of the conservation authorities. The hall will be moved to the west to create space for the new track layout.
Planning, financing and time horizon
The Margarethen platform access is part of the 2035 national rail expansion phase. The federal government has already approved the planning and preliminary project planning. While the Margarethen platform access is financially secured, the funds for the implementation of the new Margarethen Bridge are still being decided. Both projects can be built technically independently of each other, but should be realized at the same time if possible.
The planning requirements are high. They take into account ongoing rail operations, the protection of historic buildings and integration into the dense city traffic. Construction is currently scheduled to start in 2034 at the earliest. The project volume for both project elements (platform access and bridge) is estimated to be in the low to mid three-digit million range.
More than infrastructure – a new entrance for Basel
Basel SBB West will not only provide the city with a strategically important transportation hub, but also a new entrance to the city. The relocation of train traffic to the west will create space for clearer traffic routing, a better quality of stay and greater safety for cyclists and pedestrians. In future, travelers will experience shorter routes, generous spaces and intuitive orientation.
The interaction between trains, streetcars, buses and bicycles will become more efficient, more sustainable and more pleasant. At the same time, the project forms the structural foundation for future expansions such as the possible Basel SBB underground station. In its entirety, Basel SBB West thus stands for a new generation of railroad stations – open, networked and future-proof.
