The 2.9km initial section has seven stops while the second stage encompasses two sections: a short stretch between Farbhof Zürich Altstetten main line station; and a longer stretch linking Schlieren with Killwangen station.
In total, the Limmattal line will cover 13.4km and 27 stops with project budgeted at SFr 755m ($US 761.7m) and completion scheduled for 2022. Trams will run on a dedicated alignment for 92% of the route and the line will be electrified partly at 600V dc and 1.2kV dc. Services will operate at 15-minute intervals with a commercial speed of 22km/h and offer an end-to-end journey time of 37 minutes.
Limattalbahn is initially operating two-car metre-gauge trams on the route. However, the operator is set to receive eight new metre-gauge Tramlink LRVs from Stadler as part of a joint order for 18 vehicles with Baselland Transport (BLT). The order includes options for two to eight additional vehicles.
The scheme also includes complementary projects such as a depot and modifications to roads and access routes for pedestrians and cyclists. The Swiss government is contributing around a third of the cost of the project, with the canton of Zürich accounting for three-quarters of the remainder and the canton of Aarau the last quarter. In addition, the City of Zürich is investing SFr 136m in road network modifications.
The entire project is designed to improve public transport connections in the Limmattal area following rapid industry growth in the area.
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