Basel SBB railway station urban space: preliminary studies show development prospects for 2035+
Rail services around the city of Basel are being expanded in stages. As a result, the surrounding urban space must also change in order to accommodate the increasing passenger numbers. The government council of the Canton of Basel-Stadt has now published the preliminary studies drawn up under the leadership of the Department of Construction and Transport, providing the first insight into what the urban space around Basel SBB station could look like in the future.
The preliminary studies, drawn up by the Basler & Hofmann traffic planning team together with the urban and landscape planning offices Van de Wetering and Grand Paysage, show how the urban area from Margarethenbrücke to Centralbahnplatz should change. The aim is to create more capacity for the public and access facilities around Basel SBB railway station as well as better connections to the city's transport network. There will also be noticeable improvements to the urban climate and the environment.
New public transport hub at the market hall
In coordination with the gradual expansion of the railroad, the planning team presents two target states in the study. SBB plans to build a new "Margarethen" platform access and replace the Margarethen Bridge by 2035. This will give the canton the opportunity to create a barrier-free streetcar stop and an attractive pedestrian and cycle connection on the new bridge. In addition to the new platform access, a second station access and a public transport hub is to be created with the new "Markthallenplatz", which will relieve the Centralbahnplatz.
Focus on climate strategy
With Vision 2050, the team's preliminary studies show how the urban space around the station could develop in the long term, taking into account the cantonal climate strategy. The new Margarethenbrücke bridge and the emerging Markthallenplatz square could then be free of through traffic and function as an attractive meeting place for cyclists and pedestrians.
With the publication of the preliminary studies, the Government Council has submitted an application to the Grand Council for funding for the next planning steps. Construction will start in 2032 at the earliest.
Further information:
Media release from the Canton of Basel-Stadt dated November 26, 2024
