Letter of the day: Pedestrian bridge: an enchantment

Geneva, October 1

Anyone who has ever had the chance to walk in London on the Millennium Bridge, this superb pedestrian bridge which spans the Thames, has had the opportunity to notice all the joy that such a structure provides. It encourages meditation and looking at our environment in a different way, far from the frenzy of fast vehicles. In Geneva, we have a unique opportunity to be able to count on a similar work by voting yes on November 24. Here, this footbridge upstream of the bridge of the same name, a tribute to the highest peak in Europe, will offer a breathtaking view of the harbor, the fountain and the lake. It will be decorated with a bench along its entire length. A huge plus for walking, but also for traveling on foot which is becoming more and more important in our society, which is happy news.

To all these advances is added another: the Mont-Blanc pedestrian bridge is an opportunity to improve the situation of cyclists throughout the sector. The latter will in fact be able to use the current sidewalk of the bridge thanks to the installation of a perfectly adapted two-way cycle path, making it possible to finally create the cycle U-lake all around the harbor by joining the two banks. Last but not least, the work resolves the current conflict between pedestrians and cyclists in the English Garden, by providing separate paths.

In short, these are only advantages and it is difficult to understand why a referendum was launched against this project supported by almost all of the political parties in the Municipal Council, the pedestrian and cyclist associations and Genève Tourisme. Those who are offended by the price are on the wrong track. The planned investment is indeed reasonable for such a structure, of high architectural quality and long-lasting. What’s more, proof of the interest it arouses, this investment is distributed between several actors: Confederation, Canton and City of Geneva, as well as a private foundation.

For all these reasons, let us enthusiastically vote yes to the Mont-Blanc pedestrian bridge on November 24.

François Memberz, president of TCS Geneva

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