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1. 1950s

   The idea of a bypass

   Planning for a motorway bypass around Biel/Bienne began in the late 1950s. Several options were considered and later dropped. The western section was meant to close the gap in the A5 network.

2. 2014

   A defined project

   The Federal Council approved the general projects for the western bypass, including the western section, Port tunnel and Vingelz bypass. One planned link ran from Brüggmoos to Biel West near Seevorstadt.

3. 2017

   Eastern section opens, western section contested

   The eastern A5 section opened and approval of the western section began. The proposed works drew many objections. The «Westast so nicht!» committee and other groups organised demonstrations and called for alternatives; supporters continued to seek relief from road traffic.

4. 2019

   Dialogue begins

   The authorities formed a dialogue group of supporters and opponents. Approval of the detailed project was suspended during the talks. The aim was a more broadly supported answer to the region’s traffic problems.

5. 2020–2021

   The detailed project ends

   On 7 December 2020 the dialogue group presented its recommendations. The authorities decided not to pursue the specific project. At the canton’s request, the federal government closed the detailed project in early 2021. Espace Biel/Bienne.Nidau was created to coordinate what came next.

6. 2025

   New approaches for western Biel/Bienne

   The joint project body concluded its work with eleven recommendations. Public transport, walking and cycling, traffic management and better streets now take priority. The Bernstrasse–Aarbergstrasse–Ländtestrasse corridor, where our venue is located, is part of this work.

Current position: The former A5 western bypass will not be built. Closing the national road network gap remains a long-term strategic question; the latest recommendations say detailed planning should start no earlier than 2040.