The modernization of the m1 metro between Lausanne-Flon and Renens will not materialize before 2032, at best. The Vaud State Councilor in charge of infrastructure, Nuria Gorrite, explained that the project was not yet “mature enough”, in particular to obtain funding from the Confederation.
Tuesday before the Grand Council, in response to an oral question from deputy Hadrien Buclin (EP), the minister recalled that there remained “differences of opinion” between the Canton and the communes of western Lausanne on the subject of the development of the m1. Exploratory studies have certainly been carried out, but leaving “many questions unanswered”.
Ms. Gorrite noted that “the variants on the table” have costs that go almost “double”, with potentially investments “well beyond a billion francs” for the Canton. A figure that she gave “with great reservation” in view of the current uncertainties.
Today, the objective is for the Canton and the municipalities to agree on “a variant of development” for the m1. This must respond to needs “in a balanced and proportionate manner”, meet technical requirements and have “an acceptable cost”, continued the socialist state councilor.
Shift classes
According to her, the Council of State has “no desire” to delay the modernization of the m1. The minister even affirmed that she had “acquired the conviction” that the project should allow “a significant increase in line capacity, of the order of 50%”. However, the project currently does not have “the necessary level of maturity” to obtain funding from the Confederation, she added.
-If Canton and municipalities manage to agree, and if the studies and procedures are then carried out “at a sustained pace”, the project could be taken into account for the following financing period between 2032 and 2036, judged Ms. Gorrite.
In the meantime, the government has already “anticipated” measures to alleviate the m1 saturation problems. This would involve, for example, staggering the course hours of UNIL and EPFL, whose students crowd into the m1 at certain specific times. An agreement in principle from the two universities has already been obtained, revealed Ms. Gorrite. She added that relieving congestion on the M1 will also involve the development of bus lines.
This article was automatically published. Source: ats
