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First blasting at the Sisikon tunnel

The important Axenstrasse arterial road on the eastern shore of Lake Lucerne is being given a new route. At the heart of this ambitious large-scale project is the construction of the "Sisikon Tunnel", where the first blasting took place at the end of September 2025.

The Axenstrasse has existed since 1864 and was one of the boldest road construction projects in Switzerland at the time. In the 20th century, the arterial road was repeatedly renovated and extended. The federal government has wanted to rebuild the road since 1970, among other things to increase safety and availability, secure alternative routes and relieve the villages: today the road runs through the middle of Sisikon, among other places, and impacts the population with up to 16,000 vehicles per day.

The Sisikon tunnel is intended to remedy this situation. It leads from the north portal into the mountain and crosses the SBB tunnel. The village is bypassed underground in a wide arc. The consortium of Implenia and Frutiger will construct the approximately 4.4 km long road tunnel in two-way traffic using drill and blast. The team will also construct other underground structures such as access tunnels, diversion points, ventilation centers and exhaust shafts. The contract presents particular challenges due to the up to seven simultaneous tunnelling points and the very tight space conditions.

The Axenstrasse project

The Axenstrasse is a lifeline for Central Switzerland and an important international transport route. With the construction of the Sisikon tunnel and the Morschach tunnel, it will be given a new alignment for safe availability.

More about the project

Overview of the overall "A4 New Axenstrasse" project including the "Sisikon Tunnel" (right)(Image: ©axen.ch)

On September 26, 2025, the first blasting took place in Sisikon in the presence of numerous representatives of the client community, the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO), the project author and construction management, the Sisikon municipal council and the Sisikon school, followed by a ceremonial blessing of the tunnel by Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners.

"We are delighted to be working with our consortium partner Frutiger on the contract for this important mode of transport in Central Switzerland. The construction of the Sisikon tunnel, with its challenging work in a special location, fits in perfectly with Implenia's strategy as a specialist for large and complex transportation infrastructure. We will be able to contribute our extensive expertise and experience in tunnel construction and civil engineering," says Erwin Scherer, Head Division Civil Engineering at Implenia.

First blasting at the Sisikon tunnel

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