News regarding the project to move the CEFF Artisanat from Moutier to Bienne in 2026. In a press release published Friday, the Berne Jura Council (CJB) indicates that the Directorate of Public Works and Transport of the canton of Bern and the Public Works and Transport Committee of the CJB met on December 19 as part of their annual session. Among the various points raised, the move of the CEFF Artisanat from Moutier to Bienne and the work at the Witzwil prison. If the vocational school will take up residence in the Icelandic city as planned next year, the building at Rue de la Gabelle 18 which is to accommodate it may not have to undergo as many transformations as initially planned.
A rather pleasant surprise
The reason? Extra space suddenly available. “For once it’s going in the right direction and it’s rather accommodating,” underlines Sophie Ménard, communications manager for Avenir Berne Romande. “The owner of the building informed us that one of his tenants had vacated a floor, which means that the increase in height that he had initially planned to accommodate the CEFF Artisanat is ultimately not necessary.” A modification that changes nothing fundamental to the project. “It’s just a question of layout, optimization of space with better access, more classroom space and less corridor space,” explains Sophie Ménard.
As for the potential impacts on the costs and schedule of the project, should we be worried or happy? For example, could the project cost less? “This is information that we do not yet have, the canton is going to be a tenant with a private owner, if the surfaces are identical, the price could be the same since we are talking about rental of surfaces, but this will still be confirmed,” recalls the ABR communications manager.
Witzwil s’enlise
Regarding the work project at Witzwil prison which, let us remember, is to accommodate the administrative detention places currently managed by Moutier prison, the news is a little less encouraging. Due to instabilities noted on the ground, the Office of Buildings and Constructions (OIC) is obliged to take additional measures. “This will involve driving foundation piles deeper than planned,” explains Sophie Ménard.
Here too, for the moment, it is difficult to say what the impact of this unpleasant surprise will be on the costs and schedule of the project. “On the costs, for the moment, we do not yet have the information and in relation to the schedule, for the moment, there are no changes compared to the initial planned deadline,” she concludes. /rm
Swiss
