# Federal Roads Office

> Swiss federal office

**Wikidata**: [Q1005488](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1005488)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Roads_Office_(Switzerland))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/federal-roads-office

## Summary
The Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) is the Swiss federal agency responsible for national road infrastructure, planning, and maintenance. Established in 1998, it operates under the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications. ASTRA manages federal highways, coordinates regional road projects, and oversees transportation policy implementation across Switzerland.

## Key Facts
- Officially known as Bundesamt für Strassen (BAZL) in German; commonly referred to by its French acronym, OFROU.
- Founded in **1998**, replacing the former Federal Office of Roads (replaces: Q131299731).
- Part of the **Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DATEC)**.
- Headquartered in **Ittigen, Switzerland**, at Pulverstrasse 13, postal code 3063.
- Operates several subsidiaries including branches in **Estavayer-le-Lac**, **Zofingen**, and others.
- Managed by a director since **2015**, currently **Jürg Röthlisberger**, who has been in office since that year.
- Previous directors include:
  - **Rudolf Dieterle** (2003–2015)
  - **Olivier Michaud** (1996–2002)
- The official website is [https://www.astra.admin.ch](https://www.astra.admin.ch), last verified on **2019-01-27**.
- Contact information includes:
  - Email: [info@astra.admin.ch](mailto:info@astra.admin.ch)
  - Phone: +41-58-462-94-11
- Known aliases include:
  - FEDRO (French)
  - ASTRA (German)
  - OFROU (French)
  - フェデラル・ロード・オフィス (Japanese)
- Short name: **ASTRA**
- Instance of: **government agency**, **federal office of Switzerland**, **Government agency of Switzerland**
- GRID ID: **grid.494017.f**
- ROR ID: **00c276w39**
- ISNI: **0000000122937353**
- GND ID: **5303338-3**
- VIAF ID: **144820548**
- Ringgold ID: **319839**
- LinkedIn ID: **bundesamt-fuer-strassen**
- Scilit Organization ID: **83927**
- Open Funder Registry Funder ID: **501100003103**
- Swiss Enterprise Identification Number: **CHE-304.459.014**
- Library of Congress Authority ID: **n83228524**
- Kalliope Verbund (GND) ID: **5303338-3**
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: **/g/1234yx1r**
- Commons Category: **Federal Roads Office**
- Wikipedia title: **Federal Roads Office (Switzerland)**
- Wikipedia languages: **commons, de, en, fr**
- Sitelink count: **47**
- Image reference: [ASTRA_BAZL_BFE_Suedosten.jpg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/ASTRA_BAZL_BFE_Südosten.jpg) (point_in_time: 2021)

## FAQs
### What is the Federal Roads Office?
The Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) is the Swiss federal agency responsible for managing and developing the national road network. It was established in 1998 and operates under the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications.

### Who leads the Federal Roads Office?
Since 2015, **Jürg Röthlisberger** has served as the director. Prior to him, **Rudolf Dieterle** held the position from 2003 to 2015, and **Olivier Michaud** from 1996 to 2002.

### Where is the Federal Roads Office located?
Its headquarters are located in **Ittigen**, Switzerland, at **Pulverstrasse 13**, postal code **3063**.

### How can I contact the Federal Roads Office?
You can reach them via:
- Email: [info@astra.admin.ch](mailto:info@astra.admin.ch)
- Phone: +41-58-462-94-11

### What are the official names and acronyms used for the agency?
The agency is known by several names:
- **ASTRA** (German: Bundesamt für Strassen)
- **OFROU** (French: Office fédéral des routes)
- **FEDRO** (English: Federal Roads Office)
- **Federal Office of Roads** (historical)

### What is the agency's role in Switzerland?
It is responsible for:
- Planning and maintaining the national road network
- Coordinating federal highway projects
- Implementing transportation policies
- Managing regional road development initiatives

### What organizations is it a member of?
It is part of the **Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DATEC)** and operates under the Swiss federal government.

### What is its legal and administrative classification?
It is classified as a:
- **Government agency**
- **Federal office of Switzerland**
- **Organisational part of a government responsible for specific public services**

### What identifiers are associated with the Federal Roads Office?
- **GRID ID**: grid.494017.f
- **ROR ID**: 00c276w39
- **ISNI**: 0000000122937353
- **GND ID**: 5303338-3
- **VIAF ID**: 144820548
- **Ringgold ID**: 319839
- **LinkedIn ID**: bundesamt-fuer-strassen
- **Scilit Organization ID**: 83927
- **Open Funder Registry Funder ID**: 501100003103
- **Swiss Enterprise Identification Number**: CHE-304.459.014
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n83228524
- **Kalliope Verbund (GND) ID**: 5303338-3
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /g/1234yx1r

### What subsidiaries does it operate?
It manages several regional branches, including:
- **Federal Roads Office FEDRO - Branch Estavayer-le-Lac**
- **Federal Roads Office FEDRO - Branch Zofingen**
- **Q125628744**
- **Q125632354**

### What is its official website?
The official website is [https://www.astra.admin.ch](https://www.astra.admin.ch), last verified on **2019-01-27**.

## Why It Matters
The Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) plays a central role in Switzerland’s transportation infrastructure. It ensures the planning, construction, and maintenance of the national road network, which is critical for economic activity, public mobility, and cross-border connectivity. ASTRA also contributes to environmental and energy policies by promoting sustainable transport solutions and efficient road use. Its work directly impacts the daily lives of Swiss residents and businesses by enabling safe, efficient, and modern mobility infrastructure. The agency's decisions influence national and regional development, and its operations are key to supporting economic and social integration across the country.

## Notable For
- **Pioneering sustainable road infrastructure planning** in Switzerland
- **Managing a decentralized, multi-lingual country** with a strong federalist tradition
- **Coordinating with cantonal and local authorities** to implement national road projects
- **Overseeing the development of the national road network**, including expressways and major highways
- **Supporting inter-cantonal cooperation** by ensuring that regional and national mobility needs are met through infrastructure planning

## Body

### History
The Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) was established in **1998** to replace the former Federal Office of Roads. It was created to centralize and modernize the management of Switzerland’s national road infrastructure. ASTRA operates under the **Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DATEC)**, aligning its work with broader national policies on mobility, sustainability, and energy.

### Structure and Leadership
ASTRA is led by a director. Since **2015**, **Jürg Röthlisberger** has held the position. Prior directors include:
- **Rudolf Dieterle** (2003–2015)
- **Olivier Michaud** (1996–2002)

The agency operates through a **headquarters in Ittigen**, with several **subsidiaries** including:
- **Federal Roads Office FEDRO - Branch Estavayer-le-Lac**
- **Federal Roads Office FEDRO - Branch Zofingen**
- **Q125628744**
- **Q125632354**

### Operations and Responsibilities
ASTRA is responsible for:
- Planning and maintaining the **national road network**
- Coordinating **federal highway projects**
- Implementing **transportation policies**
- Managing **regional road development initiatives**

It plays a key role in **Switzerland’s decentralized governance model**, working closely with cantonal authorities to ensure that infrastructure meets both national and local needs.

### Technology and Data
ASTRA maintains a strong digital presence, with:
- Official website: [https://www.astra.admin.ch](https://www.astra.admin.ch)
- Contact information:
  - Email: [info@astra.admin.ch](mailto:info@astra.admin.ch)
  - Phone: +41-58-462-94-11

### International and Institutional Recognition
ASTRA is recognized through several identifiers:
- **GRID ID**: grid.494017.f
- **ROR ID**: 00c276w39
- **ISNI**: 0000000122937353
- **GND ID**: 5303338-3
- **VIAF ID**: 144820548
- **Ringgold ID**: 319839
- **LinkedIn ID**: bundesamt-fuer-strassen
- **Scilit Organization ID**: 83927
- **Open Funder Registry Funder ID**: 501100003103
- **Swiss Enterprise Identification Number**: CHE-304.459.014
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n83228524
- **Kalliope Verbund (GND) ID**: 5303338-3
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /g/1234yx1r

### Cultural and Linguistic Presence
ASTRA is known by several names in different languages:
- **ASTRA** (German)
- **OFROU** (French)
- **FEDRO** (English)
- **Bundesamt für Strassen** (German)
- **フェデラル・ロード・オフィス** (Japanese)

It is documented in multiple languages on Wikipedia:
- **commons, de, en, fr**

### Visual and Public Representation
ASTRA is visually represented in the public domain through:
- Image: [ASTRA_BAZL_BFE_Suedosten.jpg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/ASTRA_BAZL_BFE_Südosten.jpg) (point_in_time: 2021)

### Legacy and Impact
ASTRA’s work supports:
- **Economic development** through improved infrastructure
- **Environmental sustainability** by promoting efficient road use
- **Social integration** by connecting regions and communities
- **National policy goals** through its alignment with DATEC

Its role in shaping Switzerland’s transportation future ensures that it remains a key player in national governance and infrastructure planning.

## References

1. GRID Release 2018-02-08
2. [Source](https://www.astra.admin.ch/astra/de/home/das-astra/kontakt.html)
3. Virtual International Authority File