Limmattalbahn

As a long-term project stretching to over 13.5 km, the Limmattalbahn connects the Limmat Valley municipalities, as well as the canton of Aargau with the canton of Zurich, and the city with the conurbation. As the new ‘identity-bearer’ for the Limmat Valley, the Limmattalbahn represents the backbone of this connection. It is an important component of efforts to foster the renewal of the Limmat Valley area and to improve the quality of life for residents – for attractive cities and lively communities.

The total of 27 stopping points, each with two fully-configured stopping platforms, assume a central role. At intervals of around 500 metres, these points are the most prominent identity-bearers, and indicate the visibility and findability of public transport access and help create a uniform identity for the entire region.

BURRI public elements won the international tender for the Limmattalbahn stopping point infrastructure in 2016, and is managing the entire project as a full-service general contractor for the stopping point infrastructure (SPI), as with the past project for Glattalbahn Light Rail. The architectural implementation is taking place in cooperation with the architectural office 10:8 under the lead of Jürg Senn.

The shelters comprise five distinctive components: a large one-piece pre-cast concrete element, a long wooden bench, slender rectangular steel columns, a one-piece steel roof, a glass windbreak featuring specially designed and technically innovative bird protection, and the cabinet element to house the entire technology. A handrail that is suitable for the disabled runs along the rear platform edge as a guiding element.

In addition to the stopping point infrastructure, BURRI is proud to be outfitting the entire line with LOOP LED catenary suspended luminaires and bike shelters. In addition to all this, important transport hubs in the project environment will be equipped with traffic control systems and masts.

Safety for all user groups

Fulfils the requirements of the Swiss Disability Equality Act – BehiG

Following a variety of inspections, users and specialist groups from disabled associations have already confirmed the strong performance of the prototype. The stops are designed to fulfil the different user requirements of all user groups. Important insights were gained from the inspections by individuals with various physical impairments, and numerous optimisations were implemented in the course of series production. The media reserved particular praise for the timeless design, while the technical refinements and maintenance-friendly details mean that local authorities and operators are looking forward to the sustainable operation of the line. 

Urban planning concept

Perfect cooperation between the building contractor, architects and planners

BURRI developed, constructed and manufactured the entire stopping point infrastructure in close cooperation with the architectural office Architekturbüro 10:8 under the lead of Jürg Senn. The contractor and operator critically evaluated the suitability, cost effectiveness, social compatibility, safety, durability, and environmental compatibility of every single component, and all were rated as extremely very well-balanced in these different regards. In order to meet these conditions, BURRI carried out meticulous planning of every detail, and developed the components to production maturity together with the architects and the operator.

Holistic design with intelligent details

Optimal usability and life cycle costs (LCC)

The special glass meets all the requirements of disabled associations and the protection of birds. The windbreak consists of laminated safety glass, which is clamped at the top and bottom. The glass panes are printed externally on the rear (green) as well as inside in the laminate (white). Here, use was made for the first time of large-scale digital printing, which burns into the enamel surface for long-lasting durability.

The wooden bench of thermally treated domestic ash permits particularly efficient service and maintenance. A wooden grille with no visible screws and fitted on a removable stainless steel slide system enables the straightforward replacement of individual wooden slats by a single person.

The elegant supports are sharp-edge welded, and the roof drainage as well as the feed of electrical and data lines from the electrical cabinet into the roof all take place via the slender columns. The steel construction is hot-dip galvanised and powder-coated for optimum corrosion protection, and is applied with an integrated anti-graffiti coating.

Team delivers efficient development and implementation

Experience and expertise in the deployment of system solutions

The close cooperation with designers and architects enjoys a long tradition at BURRI. In this way, even demanding specifications such as the Limmattalbahn are implemented efficiently by BURRI’s own development and planning division. The extensive know-how in the area of public elements and numerous proprietary system solutions, as well as tried-and-tested components, mean that life cycle costs are kept to a minimum. Throughout, the efficient in-house production of various components and the experienced assembly teams ensure flexibility and guarantee on-time delivery.

Cost minimisation for the client

A full-service general contractor – from development all the way to maintenance and servicing

In the long term, an investment such as the Limmattalbahn has to pay off for the public-sector budget. This is why BURRI takes the same approach as the contractor, and performs its calculations using so-called life cycle costs, namely the total expenditure for construction and production as well as repairs and maintenance, throughout the entire operating life – all the way to disposal. With forward-looking measures from the design stage onwards, alongside an optimum choice of materials, BURRI ensures that there are no unnecessary follow-up costs for maintenance and upkeep.