CHF3.5 billion for urgent projects, 2nd generation trafffic decongestation
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Geneva and Vaud are likely to see CHF390 million in funding to improve roads and rail as part of a national project to reduce intra-regional traffic congestion as the populations in these areas swell.
Switzerland’s roads and rail systems are being choked in several urban areas, and the CHF3.5 billion earmarked 26 February by the federal government will help, but not end the problem, says the Federal Council.
The words of caution came with the publication of A, B and C lists of 41 projects submitted by the cantons for additional federal funding: the projects would cost CHF20 billion, with Bern financing 35-40 percent for most projects, but the amount is far more than that set in the federal budget for decongesting traffic, a project established in 2006.
As a result, the applications were sorted into A, B and C projects with priority given to the most efficient at reducing congestion and those ready to be completed by 2019.
Bern will contribute 35 percent or CHF185.5m in Vaud to cover road improvements, mainly access roads, in a number of towns in the Morges-Lausanne area. It will also put in 40 percent, CHF204m in “Greater Geneva” for road and rail projects that include improvements to train stations in Satifny, Rolle and Coppet, with Versoix in reserve. Road improvements will see construction work on the route national (lake road) between Bellevue and Genthod and between Founex and Perroy.
Parliament must approve some of the funds; others are being put out for public consultation.