The visual aspect of the $1.8 billion 'durchmesserlinie' project to run a completely new main line under Zürich city centre, allowing through InterCity services for the first time in it's history. The congestion at this area is obvious, hence the need for the rail flyover from the exit of the tunnel.
The project was started in 2007. S-Bahn services are expected to begin by late 2013, InterCity following within two years. For long-distance internal services such as St Gallen-Geneva, the project should save up to 30 minutes over present schedules.
In the background is the Prime Tower, the nearest thing Zürich has as a skyscraper(!), while a locally based class 841 passes on a ballast train in connection with the project.