The second phase of the Lausanne tramway reaches an important milestone. The Council of State submits to the Grand Council several credits totaling 198 million francs for the northern extension of the tram, from Renens to Villars-Sainte-Croix. Subject to appeal procedures, work could start as early as 2025 for a period of four years.
“While the laying of the tram rails between Lausanne-Flon and Renens is progressing well, this second section of 3.1 km will constitute a real backbone for the development and urban transformation of western Lausanne,” declared Friday in front of the media the Vaud State Councilor in charge of mobility, Nuria Gorrite.
The extension of the route between Renens station and its terminus at Villars-Sainte-Croix “will serve residential areas, secondary and tertiary shopping and employment areas, the development of which – already started – will continue with its arrival “, she added.
“Its construction will transform industrial and commercial sectors – whose roads are today mainly devoted to individual motorized traffic – into public spaces and quality, tree-lined neighborhoods,” explained the minister. “Largely vegetated and tree-lined, the route will be punctuated by six stations and bordered by continuous cycle paths, bike stations as well as widened pedestrian paths,” she said.
In less than ten minutes
The tramway will mainly run on its own site and will benefit from priority at intersections, which will guarantee the reliability of the timetable. It will cover its route in less than ten minutes, with a cadence of six minutes during the day when it is put into service. It will cross five municipalities, taking into account the departure in Renens and the terminus in Villars-Sainte-Croix.
Its construction is managed by Transports publics lausanneis (tl). The total amount of the project amounts to 290.5 million francs, including 260 million for the infrastructure component and 30.5 million for the transport component (acquisition of five trainsets). The cantonal share (62%) will be debated during 2025 at the Grand Council.
The Confederation finances the project with 25% and the municipalities with 8%. These will have to submit their participation to the vote of their respective municipal councils. This represents 13 million francs for Bussigny, 9.6 million for Crissier, 600,000 for Villars-Sainte-Croix and 200,000 for Ecublens, according to their representatives present at the press conference.
Four problematic appeals
The federal decision to approve the plans by the Federal Office of Transport (FOT) is expected for next February-March, according to Ms. Gorrite. The investigation sparked 40 objections, mainly land-related. Around twenty have been settled by an agreement, ongoing discussions are on the right track for around ten others. Only four oppositions are more complex.
Subject to the progress of these procedures, work could start as early as 2025 for a period of four years. Full operation is therefore estimated for 2030. As a reminder, work on the first stage of the tramway, between Renens and Lausanne-Flon, is currently underway and the commissioning of this line is planned for 2026.
This article was automatically published. Source: ats
