A Cold War-Era Highway Plan… Reimagined

Let’s rewind. The story of the Stadttunnel began over half a century ago, when urban planners envisioned Zurich as the epicenter of a massive highway network. The so-called “Expressstrassen-Y” would have funneled three major highways - A1, A3, and A4, straight into the heart of the city. In this vision, traffic was king, and the future belonged to cars.

So, construction began. A concrete tunnel was carved beneath Zurich Hauptbahnhof as part of the plan. But Zurich’s residents had other ideas. Protests erupted, and the city’s strong civic culture prevailed. The Sihlhochstrasse, one of the planned highway bridges, was scrapped before it reached the city center. The Y project fizzled out, leaving behind a mostly unused tunnel: a ghost of a car-centric vision that never came to life.

For decades, the raw shell of this tunnel sat dormant - until cyclists saw an opportunity.

A People’s Project:

Fast forward to 2011. The cycling advocacy group Pro Velo Zürich submitted a petition to repurpose the old tunnel as a bike route. It was bold. It was practical. And it sparked a movement. By 2021, 74% of Zurich’s voters supported the proposal in a city-wide referendum.

Construction began in 2022, and by spring 2025, Zurich had completed the transformation of a highway ghost into a glowing example of forward-thinking mobility.

The Numbers: Big Space, Big Impact

Let’s talk stats. The Stadttunnel is no ordinary bike path. It stretches 440 meters in total - 192 meters from the original tunnel plus extensions on both sides. The main tunnel is a generous 6 meters wide, ensuring safe, spacious passage for all types of bikes.

But it’s not just about the tunnel itself. The real crown jewel is the Velostation, a gleaming new underground bike garage directly linked to the Sihlquai Passage of Zurich HB. It offers:

• 1,240 secure, covered parking spots, including
  • 115 for cargo bikes or trailers
  • 64 for e-bikes, some with charging stations
• 48 hours of free parking
• Direct pedestrian access to train platforms via the Sihlquai underpass
• Rain-free, car-free, stress-free travel

It's all operated by AOZ, the city’s integration and social services organization, adding a socially responsible layer to this mobility milestone.

So, Who Can Ride It?

If it’s on two wheels and legally belongs on a cycle path, it’s welcome in the Stadttunnel. That includes:

• Classic bikes
• E-bikes (fast and slow)
• E-mopeds and light electric motorcycles
• Speed limit? A modest 20 km/h—just right for urban commuting.

Whether you’re a casual city rider or a powered-up delivery driver, this tunnel is your expressway.

Construction, Cleverness & Civic Commitment

Turning a concrete shell into a cycling haven wasn’t easy. The team faced challenges from engineering logistics to urban integration. Among the works:

• Connecting ramps at Kasernenstrasse and Sihlquai
• Building new support structures under Zurich’s busiest railways
• Relocating utilities, including water lines and power cables
• Integrating fire safety, HVAC, and lighting systems throughout

The project cost 38.6 million Swiss francs, less than originally budgeted, thanks in part to the Swiss Parliament’s 2023 decision to permanently cancel the Expressstrassen-Y and eliminate 8 million francs in possible demolition costs.

A Symbol for the Future of Cities

The Stadttunnel is more than infrastructure—it’s a symbol. It’s a repurposed relic from an outdated transport ideology turned into a forward-looking, human-centered mobility corridor. It reflects Zurich’s identity as a place where citizens have real influence, and where urban development bends toward climate-smart, people-first design. Reclaiming city space from cars and returning it to people—without making a fuss about it.

Cities worldwide are struggling with how to reduce congestion, lower emissions, and get people moving. Zurich’s answer? Don’t just build new. Rethink the old.