Kasernenstrasse to Get a Green Makeover for Cyclists and Pedestrians
One of Zürich's busiest routes to the main station is getting a significant upgrade. The city has approved plans to redesign the Kasernenstrasse near the Sihlpost, with construction set to begin in spring 2027 and last around nine months.
The pavement will be widened from five to eight metres and fitted with a bright natural stone surface, relieving the bottleneck where thousands of commuters currently squeeze past each other daily on their way to and from the Hauptbahnhof. Wider cycle lanes will also be added along the Kasernenstrasse and Lagerstrasse, and turning rules adjusted, cars will only be permitted to turn right into the Lagerstrasse, giving cyclists a cleaner and safer path through the junction.
The centrepiece of the redesign is greenery: 43 new trees are planned along the street, on the central island, and directly beside the Sihl river, where new benches will invite people to linger.
Total costs are estimated at CHF 6.5 million, split between the main project and additional road and cycling measures. With no objections filed against the project, the timeline is expected to hold.
The works are part of Zürich's broader push to expand its cycling network. The Kasernenstrasse is intended to serve as an attractive feeder route to the new Stadttunnel — the underground cycle passage beneath the Hauptbahnhof that opened in May 2025 and quickly became a landmark of the city's cycling ambitions. Despite 70% of Zürich voters backing the "Safe Cycle Routes" initiative in 2020, progress on the broader network has been slow, with just 4.3 kilometres of priority routes completed so far out of a planned 130. The Kasernenstrasse project, facing no legal challenges, stands out as one of the smoother steps forward.
