Since the beginning of March, the A8 between Interlaken-Ost and Brienz has been closed again at night for the final work on the renovation project, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. In addition to this work, a safety felling operation will be carried out in the Erschwanden area at the end of March. Unstable trees pose a danger to road users and will therefore be removed.
The terrain in this area is very steep and interspersed with rocks. To ensure that the work is carried out efficiently and safely, the trees will be felled while standing, using a helicopter. A total of around 300 rotations are needed for this. The high-voltage power line that crosses the national road in this area must be switched off. To avoid constant traffic stoppages and long waiting times, the section will be closed as follows:
- 24, 25 and 26 March 2025, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day: closure of the A8 between Interlaken-Ost and Brienz in both directions
The work is weather dependent. In unsuitable conditions, the work will be postponed by one day.
Traffic
The municipal road is available for traffic between Bönigen and Iseltwald. The remaining traffic will be diverted over the cantonal road on the other side of the lake, as during the night closures. The two bottlenecks in Oberried and Brienz will be regulated by traffic services during this time. Since the road is also closed at night, the A8 is only open from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. during these three days.
Due to the coordination between the availability of the helicopter and the switching off of the high-voltage power line, as well as the beginning of the bird breeding season, no date could be found for the safety logging outside the night closures.
Renovation of the A8 Interlaken-Ost – Brienz
Construction on the A8 between Interlaken-Ost and Brienz was supposed to be finished by the end of 2024. However, the work has suffered delays due to the natural disaster in Brienz on the 12 of August. Night closures and zones with reduction to one lane are therefore still be necessary in 2025. The first night closure took place in the night of the 3/4 of March. The A8 is closed in the nights of Mon/Tue to Fri/Sat, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. from March until the end of May, except during public holidays like Easter or Pentecost. The zone with traffic on one lane just east of the Chüebalm tunnel was installed during the first night closure and will also stay in place until the end of May.
Regular night closures
The A8 is closed during the week as follows:
- March to Mai: in the nights Mon/Tue to Fri/Sat from 8 p.m to 6 a.m.
Traffic between Interlaken and Brienz will be diverted onto the cantonal road on the right-hand side of the lake. The communal road will be available for traffic between Interlaken and Iseltwald.