Will the expansion of the A1 motorway come at the expense of rail development between Geneva and Lausanne? This is what opponents of the highway development project fear. But this argument is brushed aside by the Federal Roads Office, say supporters of the project. An additional opportunity to cross swords before November 24.
“We reaffirm that the project to widen the motorway between Vengeron-Coppet-Nyon does not call into question the feasibility of creating a new railway line along the motorway.” “(…) planning for the widening of the motorway and the new railway line can be carried out simultaneously”
These assertions, written by the director of the Federal Roads Office and sent to Pierre Maudet’s department, did not go unnoticed by the FER. Its director is leading an all-out campaign in favor of motorway widening. He is categorical. “The debate is closed and the counter-argument is definitively classified. » says Philippe Fleury.
“The additional train track between Geneva and Lausanne is compatible with the widening of the motorway, and in addition their development is coordinated. Rail and road can be developed at the same time on this axis. »
Debate settled?
The campaign for this extremely concerning subject has been very intense for several weeks.
Financial cost, incentive to “all car”, against excessive traffic jams and economic dynamism. The road-rail opposition is one of the opponents’ concerns. So does this letter close the debate? No, rail development is only planned for Horizon 2060, answers Delphine Klopfenstein.
“We know that the Confederation is making massive cuts and we are not guaranteed today to have the means to make this additional line. We have the opportunity now, on November 24, to make the right choice and put the money where it is needed. »
The vote concerns 6 sections of motorway, including 5 in German-speaking Switzerland. An amount of almost 5 billion is planned. Funding drawn from taxes linked to motorized traffic.
Swiss
