MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –
Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in French
Federal Roads Office OFROU
Bern, 26.09.2024 – As the latest edition of the report on the condition of the national road network published by the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) shows, the national road network remains in good condition. In 2023, FEDRO invested around CHF 1.2 billion in the maintenance of national roads.
National roads are of major importance for the entire transport network: while they represent around 3% of the total length of the road network, they absorb more than 45% of all Swiss road traffic. They are also essential for road freight traffic: more than 70% of this travels on national roads. The replacement value of the national road network amounts to 141 billion francs. Last year, FEDRO invested almost 1.2 billion francs in maintaining this infrastructure to ensure that it remains in good condition. This contribution, the amount of which is in line with the average for the last ten years, demonstrates that FEDRO attaches great importance to the safe and sustainable use of existing infrastructure.
97% of roads are in good condition
The national roads are maintained regularly and are generally in good condition, as shown by the 2023 figures published by FEDRO in its report on the condition of the national road network. Around 88% of all facilities are in a condition deemed to be good or acceptable (condition classes 1 and 2 out of a total of five classes). As regards carriageways and surfaces, 97% are in a condition deemed to be good or average (condition classes 1 and 2) and around 3% in a satisfactory condition (condition class 3).
As regards engineering structures (e.g. bridges, wildlife crossings, galleries), 91% are in a condition considered good or acceptable. Almost 9% of them have damage of average severity (condition class 3), which however has no impact on structural safety or road safety. Some 0.7% of the structures are in poor condition (condition class 4). These will have to be repaired or replaced in the coming years, but structural safety and road safety remain guaranteed.
Safety is guaranteed
78% of the tunnels inspected are in a condition deemed to be good or acceptable (condition classes 1 and 2). 19% have moderate damage and therefore require increased monitoring (condition class 3). Six structures are in poor condition and will therefore need to be renovated in the medium term. No tunnel is in an alarming condition, in other words in a condition that no longer allows it to be operated.
The operating and safety equipment (OSE), such as cables, lighting systems or signalling, are mostly well preserved: 85% of them are in a condition considered good or acceptable (condition classes 1 and 2). 14% of the installations have damage of average severity. In 5% of the tunnels, the OSEs are in poor condition and will need to be renovated in the coming years. At the end of 2023, the OSEs in the Neuenhof and Baregg tunnels (A1, AG) were in an alarming condition. They are currently undergoing a complete renovation in both tunnels.
Survey of the state of national roads
Every five years, the works are subject to a complete inspection and assessment, which consists of examining not only their various elements and installations, but also their general appearance. The results thus obtained serve as a basis for planning maintenance work on the national road network.
The new report on the state of the network presents the situation at the end of 2023. It therefore does not take into account the repair work launched or carried out in 2024.
Safety is not compromised for structures categorised in condition classes 1 to 4. Depending on the situation, those in class 4 may require medium-term measures. For structures in class 5, shorter-term measures are required, such as replacing individual elements, installing temporary supports or introducing a weight limit on bridges.
Address for sending questions
Press Service of the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO)Tel.: 058 464 14 91; email: media@astra.admin.ch
Author
Federal Roads Office OFROUhttp://www.astra.admin.ch
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.