Pipeline Rehabilitation Bern stands for a technically demanding infrastructure project carried out by the pipeline specialists of Josef Muff AG. Since November 2025, on behalf of the Civil Engineering Department of the City of Bern, an existing DN 800 pipe is being replaced with new pipe dimensions of DN 600 and DN 900. The implementation is taking place in tight spaces, over water, and during ongoing operations.
Project organization
In the implementation of the Bern pipeline rehabilitation project, besides Josef Muff AG, the Civil Engineering Department of the City of Bern, The engineering firms IUB, as well as the companies Kibag and EWB, were involved. Additional specialist partners were brought in for individual sub-services, including Lawil scaffolding for access solutions, Teko coating for corrosion protection, and Head Switzerland for the galvanizing of the components. The requirements for coordination and workflow are correspondingly high. From structural planning and material logistics to on-site assembly, several trades interlock. Our pipe specialists take on the central coordination in the area of piping technology.
Line replacement and construction
The replacement of the existing DN 800 pipe is at the heart of the Bern pipeline rehabilitation. The new concept foresees the initial use of the DN 600 pipe as a temporary measure. This allows the existing DN 800 pipe to be dismantled in a controlled manner without interrupting operations. In the final phase, DN 600 and DN 900 will be connected to the existing system via two shafts at a 15-degree angle. The construction includes brackets with a total material weight of approximately 1.6 tons. Due to space constraints, the delivery was in six individual parts. The individual components weigh between 220 and 550 kilograms. Precise planning was therefore required for transport, lifting operations, and assembly.
Difficult conditions
The Bern pipeline renovation is being carried out under challenging conditions. The construction site is located at a bridge, with access for larger equipment only possible from one side. At the same time, the access road is narrow, which further complicated the delivery of pipe segments and bracket parts. Additionally, the site is over water. On the right bank, a high-voltage power line also runs above the construction area. This resulted in clear safety regulations and increased demands on the use of cranes, lifting equipment, and assembly devices. These boundary conditions were already taken into detailed consideration during the planning phase.
Live execution
A key requirement of the Bern pipeline rehabilitation project is the maintenance of ongoing operations. The existing wastewater pipe must not be taken out of service for the entire construction period. Therefore, the temporary DN 600 pipeline plays a central role. Only through this temporary solution will it be possible to gradually implement the dismantling of the existing DN 800 pipe and the construction of the new pipeline route. This working method requires close coordination among all stakeholders and ongoing monitoring of the operational situation on site.
Project status
Since the start in November 2025, significant milestones have already been completed in the Bern pipeline rehabilitation. The consoles have been installed and form the structural basis for further pipeline routing. The DN 600 pipeline has also been installed. The partial installation of the temporary setup is currently underway. This work creates the conditions for the next step, the dismantling of the DN 800 pipeline. Project completion is scheduled for May or June 2026. Weather and water levels, in particular, will have a significant impact on the schedule's progress.
Quality and protection
Durability and technical execution play a central role in the Bern pipeline rehabilitation. Corrosion protection of components is particularly important due to the humid environment and weather influences. Specialized partners, Teko Beschichtung and Galvaswiss, are involved for this purpose. High standards also apply to execution. Welds, fastenings, and installed components are professionally documented and inspected. This results in a solution that can withstand the demands of an urban wastewater network in the long term.
Outlook for Pipeline Rehabilitation Bern
The Bern pipeline rehabilitation shows how complex modern pipeline construction in existing infrastructure can be. Tight spaces, working over water, a high-voltage line in the immediate vicinity, and maintaining operations place high demands on planning and execution. Together with the specialized partners involved, Josef Muff AG is realizing a project that combines technical precision, coordinated processes, and robust constructions.
