A new underground rail link connecting Switzerland and France was completed on 23 September 2016. The Cornavin-Eaux-Vives-Annemasse (CEVA) rail cross-border project teams of France and Switzerland met at Foron, between Geneva and Annemasse. Although at ground level the border is marked by the River Foron, a wall used to separate the two countries underground. This barrier was knocked down by the French and Swiss contracting authorities.

The cross-border railway network is starting to take shape

This event is not purely symbolic: it represents a real milestone by giving the CEVA project a bi-national dimension. The meeting of the two sides is the result of the work coordinated between the French and Swiss project teams. This event provides a glimpse of the possible cross-border connections that will be offered to travellers when the Léman Express service is launched in December 2019.
The project is estimated to cost 1.5 billion Swiss francs. The Swiss Federal Government is providing approximately 56% of the funds necessary for the execution of the CEVA project, with the balance of 44% provided by the Canton of Geneva.

Visual identity of the Leman Express

The visual identity and livery of the 40 Leman Express trainsets were also presented on this occasion. The Franco-Swiss fleet will connect 45 stations across 230 km of lines between Coppet, Geneva, Annemasse, Evian-les-Bains, St-Gervais, Annecy and Bellegarde. The fleet of 23 Flirt France multiple units from Swiss manufacturer Stadler will be rounded off with 17 Régiolis CEVA models from French firm Alstom.

(Source: SBB)