Ex-Expo.02 - Stations

Stations

The railway infrastructure in the region was modernised for Expo.02 and adapted to the expected guests. Among other things, some infrastructure projects already planned in the perimeters of the railway stations were implemented earlier.

Railway station Biel-Bienne

In Biel-Bienne, the SBB has extended the railway station-lake axis with a pedestrian passage under the station. 15'000 m² of derelict industrial land on the lakeshore was now available for urban development: a development opportunity for the municipalities of Biel-Bienne and Nidau.

Railway station Murten-Morat

In the run-up to Expo.02, SBB built a pedestrian subway at Murten-Morat railway station. In addition, existing platforms were extended and raised and new platforms were built.

Railway station Kerzers-Chiètres

BLS connected its platforms with a pedestrian subway before Expo.02. SBB did not connect its station section with a subway until 2004, i.e. after Expo.02. In addition, the passerelle was raised by 20 cm so that the new double-decker trains could pass through.

During Expo.02, there were 216 instead of 17 daily train journeys.

Railway station Neuchâtel

The organisation of Expo.02 provided the opportunity for a new, intermodal mobility concept. The subway was extended to create a transfer point to the bus and trolleybus lines to the north of the train tracks. On the occasion of Expo.02, an underground funicular railway to the lake was also put into operation.

Until the year 2000, the trolleybus service and the short trolleybus line operated almost like a dead-end connection facing west and the old town. All functions were bundled on the station square (now station forecourt east) - with the exception of access to the underground P+R car park and access to the taxis on the station forecourt east. As one of the four host cities of Expo.02, Neuchâtel completely redesigned the station entrance in order to cope with the flow of visitors in 2002. On this occasion, the subway was extended northwards to Faubourg de la Gare. The bus and trolleybus lines were merged there to create a through route to the railway station. The university district was connected to the lakeshore by an underground funicular railway. The funicular railway was designed with cabins suspended in a frame so that it could easily adapt to the complex curvature of the route. The area around the railway station was traffic-calmed. Bicycle parking (150 spaces) is mainly possible in the eastern railway subway (without track access) and at the bus stop (station stop, Place Blaise-Cendrars). A further 80 secure parking spaces (bicycle station) are located at the entrance to the Espace de l'Europe.

In Neuchâtel, the underground cable car Fun'ambule has made the connection from the railway station to the lake possible. This had been planned for a long time, but was not possible without the involvement of Expo. The future will show how the city of Neuchâtel will utilise its potential for leisure and recreational spaces that have been created by the design of the Arteplage.

Railway station Yverdon-les-Bains

SBB carried out various modifications to Yverdon-les-Bains railway station. In addition, the town of Yverdon-les-Bains realised fundamental infrastructure projects in the Place de la Gare and Avenue de la Gare areas.

The forecourt of Yverdon-les-Bains railway station was provisionally roofed over for Expo.02

Architect
West 8, Rotterdam, Netherlands www.west8.com

Timber construction
Werner Minder, Yverdon-les-Bains

Railway station Chamard–Montagny

A temporary railway station was built in Chamard-Montagny for Expo.02. This connected the Expo.02 car park in Chamard-Montagny with the town of Yverdon-les-Bains.

Association of Expo.02 Alumni