Comprehensive roadwork had been in progress on the national roads A6 and A8 in the Bernese Oberland since 2013 with the aim of enhancing the safety of road users. In the initial stage, the focus was on the construction of emergency galleries in all tunnels where traffic in both directions travels through a single tube. This measure ensured that road users are able to escape from the tunnel in the event of a fire.
The renovation programme also focused on maintaining the stretch of the A8 between Interlaken-Ost and Brienz. The intention here was to completely renovate the stretch along the left-hand side of Lake Brienz. Work started in 2021 and could be finished in 2025. One of the main objectives was to bring the tunnels into line with the latest safety standards. For example, the ventilation system in the Giessbach tunnel had been upgraded, and all engineering structures (bridges, retaining walls, etc.) as well as road surfaces were repaired or renovated.