Autoroute du Léman

The Lake Geneva motorway runs from the Lausanne suburbs through the picturesque Lavaux vineyards towards Valais and is considered one of the most scenic roads in Switzerland because of the view over Lake Geneva and across to the Alps.

The route runs through a hilly landscape sloping down to the lake and, due to the topography of the region, is characterised by numerous engineering structures (tunnels, bridges and under- and overpasses). The demands placed on the road and infrastructure network have changed considerably since the 1970s, when this section was opened. Back then, nobody anticipated today’s volume of traffic.

Stefano Guandalini and his team headed by Roberto D’Adago (route specialist) and Enrico Moroni (specialist in engineering structures) are experts in the construction of motorways and engineering structures and also have extensive experience in analysing their condition and conducting repairs. On the N09 motorway, they are currently working on the repair of a stretch of more than 5 km and on 26 engineering structures, including three viaducts, two measuring 400 m in length, and one of 150 m. The demolition and reconstruction of the underpass of the cantonal road 758 at the Chexbres slip road is just one example of their work: demolition is necessary due to the poor condition of the structure. The construction phases are being planned in such a way as to ensure the flow of traffic on both the motorway and the cantonal road below. To this end, a temporary bridge in the form of a removable modular steel structure will be built. 

Our maintenance capabilities cover the full spectrum of services, from comprehensive condition analyses, including the development of action plans, through intervention projects and submission procedures to execution planning and implementation. Together with our subsidiary KBM in Sion and AJS in Neuchâtel, we are currently in the implementation phase, including site management, for section TP3 and in the submission phase for section TP5.

ASTRA The Federal Roads Office is  Switzerland's federal authority responsible for road infrastructure and private road transport. It focuses on secure, sustainable and safe mobility on the country's roads.

Mobility: a promise of the modern age

With the opening of the Swiss National Exhibition in Lausanne in 1964, Switzerland celebrated its entry into the modern age. Ten years later, the Vennes-Chexbres motorway section was opened.

The enthusiasm of the day for private transport has since given way to a more sober view. Nevertheless, our large infrastructure projects still symbolise the promise of continuous progress and ensure our mobility to this day. They are part of our cultural heritage and require conscientious maintenance. The possible consequences of neglecting to maintain transport infrastructure were tragically demonstrated by the collapse of a bridge in Genoa.