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Uvek has completed the planning approval process for the new Axenstrasse. The opponents were successful.
A sketch of the project.
The long wait has come to an end: decisions on the last four pending objections to the new road construction project in the Axen have already been made. The report, which weighs more than 100 pages, is unlikely to please supporters of the new Axenstrasse and the two projected cantons Uri and Schwyz. The Uvek (Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication) gives the green light for the construction of the new road tunnels, but clearly says no to the plans for the old Axenstrasse. According to the communication from the cantonal government, this should have become a tourist highlight by turning the street into an attractive cycle and trail.
Deteriorated appearance
Nothing will come of it now, at least not like the project presented. The buildings on the old Axenstrasse, intended to be a flanking measure, aim to reduce the current variable road width to six meters and create a cycle and a three meter wide walkway on the sea side. This required an extension of around 2700 meters between the Mosi and Sisikon connections and, despite the reduction in the width of the road, it required the expansion of the existing footbridge on the lake side.
To achieve this, the old Axenstrasse would have to be protected from falling rocks for a total of 1.1 kilometers by cantilevered galleries attached to the rock. The appearance would be disturbed, argued the Federal Commission for Conservation of Nature. Last but not least, opponents feared that capacity would increase on the old Axenstrasse, which would contradict alpine protection requirements.
Uvek against a proposal from the cantons of Uri and Schwyz
The Uvek now declares: Variant 4 of the attached measure, that is, the proposed combined cycle and gangway with a reduced lane width, is not approved. Specifically: “The accompanying measures in the old Axenstrasse must be verified and reviewed by the canton, taking into account the objectives formulated in the general project.”
The latest natural events along the old Axenstrasse should also be incorporated, as well as current legal development in the area of bike lanes at the federal level. Or to put it another way: “When planning a new project, account must also be taken of the various rock falls and subsequent closings of Axenstrasse in the past year or their findings and consequences.”
This no to the old Axenstrasse is not without consequences for the construction of the new Axentunnels. Because these are likely to be delayed further because obviously the start of construction should be postponed. According to the report on the latest objections, which have now been addressed, the new accompanying measures, which must now be resolved, must be approved and implemented by Uvek in time before the new Axenstrasse comes into operation as part of a separate implementation project.
Approved street classification
The Uvek rejected other objections, which were raised by the Alpine Initiative association, doctors for environmental protection and traffic clubs in Switzerland, as well as by several people. So the question is whether the Federal Council should not have classified the new Axenstrasse from third to second class.
It is not the task of the Uvek to question the decisions of the Federal Council, especially since Parliament has already endorsed it, now it is said from Bern. From the department’s point of view, there was nothing to complain about regarding the Federal Council’s interpretation, “as it was a classification of a few kilometers based on traffic technology, which was made according to the cantons in question. ” Reason: A second-class national road is intended exclusively for motorized traffic, while other road users, such as bicycles, will also be allowed in the third class.
The complaint about a planned dosing point also remained without possibility. This should have ensured that no more than 1,240 vehicles will drive through Sisikon in the future. Such a dosing point can also be configured later at any time if experience shows that this is necessary, now judge the Uvek.
For years, a dispute over a major project
Axes
(adm) The dispute over the new Axenstrasse has been going on for years. Leftists and environmental groups oppose what they consider an unnecessary and costly expansion, which would reach around CHF 980 million as of 2014 based on official project costs.
The implementation project presented by the cantons of Schwyz and Uri in 2014 foresees a 2,889-meter Morschacher tunnel, a 4,442-meter Sisikon tunnel and a short, open route in the area for the new Axenstrasse. According to the description, the new Axenstrasse is intended to ensure the availability, functionality and safety of north-south traffic axis traffic in the future and to relieve the village of Sisikon from long-term traffic.
From the beginning, the project was on headwinds. On June 5, 2016, with a 45.7 percent turnout, around 63 percent of voters rejected an initiative and gave the cantons the green light. So far agreements have been reached with 53 opponents. Four objections remain, which will also be decided in this report.
This decision can be filed with the St. Gallen Federal Administrative Court within 30 days of opening.
