AFRY strengthens role in Swiss rail modernization with quality assurance mandate for full Lötschberg Base Tunnel expansion

(IN BRIEF) AFRY has been appointed, as part of the IG AI engineering consortium, to oversee quality assurance for all railway engineering systems involved in the full expansion of Switzerland’s Lötschberg Base Tunnel. The tunnel, part of the 40-km Lötschberg Base Line, will be upgraded to a double-track system under the Swiss Rail Expansion 2035 plan, strengthening the New Railway Link through the Alps and supporting modal shift from road to rail. AFRY will act as Owner’s Engineer, conducting design reviews, technical evaluations, and commissioning oversight. The contract for IG AI totals 118 MSEK, with AFRY receiving about 38 MSEK, and the project will run from October 2025 to December 2035. AFRY says the assignment highlights its expertise in railway engineering and its contribution to sustainable Alpine transport.

(PRESS RELEASE) SOLNA, 3-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — AFRY has been selected as part of the IG AI engineering consortium to provide comprehensive quality assurance for the railway engineering systems involved in the full expansion of the Lötschberg Base Tunnel—one of Switzerland’s most significant rail infrastructure upgrades. Acting as Owner’s Engineer, AFRY and its partner will oversee critical technical reviews and ensure that all engineering equipment meets stringent performance, capacity, and safety requirements throughout the decade-long project.

The Lötschberg Base Tunnel sits along the 40-kilometer Lötschberg Base Line between Frutigen and Raron. Under Switzerland’s Rail Expansion 2035 initiative, the currently partially single-track route will be upgraded to a fully double-track corridor. Together with the Gotthard and Ceneri base tunnels, it forms a key component of the New Railway Link through the Alps (NEAT) — an ambitious national program designed to improve cross-Alpine capacity and encourage the transition of freight from road to rail.

As part of its role, AFRY will take responsibility for verifying the engineering design, evaluating technical specifications, and overseeing commissioning activities for railway systems throughout the expansion. This includes ensuring all equipment meets the reliability and service quality expectations required for Switzerland’s high-performance transport network.

Marcel Winter, Head of Segment Road & Rail at AFRY, emphasized the importance of the assignment: “We are proud to support one of Switzerland’s most critical transport projects. Our deep experience in railway engineering and quality assurance will help secure the successful expansion of the Lötschberg Base Tunnel and contribute to more sustainable mobility across the Alps.”

The contract for the IG AI consortium is valued at approximately 118 MSEK in total, with AFRY’s share amounting to around 38 MSEK. Project activities are scheduled to run from October 2025 through December 2035, aligning with Switzerland’s long-term infrastructure modernization timeline.