Updated 14 January 08:45  Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – One of Switzerland’s most heavily traveled road sections, between Morges and Ecublens in Vaud, will get some relief starting in 2010, the federal government said Tuesday afternoon: drivers in both directions will be allowed to use the emergency lane under a project that will be evaluated at the end of a year to see if it reduces the number of accidents and keeps traffic flowing more smoothly.

This is a first in Switzerland and the project will be tightly controlled and monitored to see if drivers follow speed indicators linked to traffic density, for example. The use of the third lane in each direction will be allowed at all times, not just during peak travel periods, which currently provoke accordion traffic problems that are hazardous, the press release from Bern notes.

The project will cost CHF34 million and the roadworks to put in place the new system will begin 4 May 2009 and last until the end of December 2009.

Background, A! autoroute, 44 years old, GenevaLunch, 7 January 2008