Questions and answers on six highway expansion projects
Published: Sunday, Oct 20th 2024, 09:50
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On November 24, Swiss voters will decide on 4.9 billion Swiss francs for six freeway expansion projects. An alliance led by the Swiss Transport Club (VCS) and Umverkehr is fighting the bill with a referendum. Below are questions and answers on the bill:
WHAT IS THE STARTING POINT?
According to the federal government, the volume of traffic on the national road network has increased more than fivefold over the past sixty years and has more than doubled since 1990. Particularly busy stretches of highway are regularly overloaded, resulting in traffic jams. Drivers who want to avoid waiting times switch to cantonal and municipal roads and burden towns and villages with additional traffic.
In 2023, 48,807 hours of congestion were counted in Switzerland. This was 22.4 percent more than in 2022 and more than ever before. According to the Federal Roads Office, almost ninety percent of congestion hours were due to traffic congestion.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE TEMPLATE?
Parliament approved the 2023 expansion phase of the motorway network just over a year ago. Six sections of freeway are to be expanded over the next few years at a total cost of CHF 4.9 billion. The Federal Council had proposed five projects to Parliament. The councillors increased the credit in favor of a project on the A1 at Lake Geneva.
The A1 is to be widened to eight lanes between Bern-Wankdorf and Schönbühl BE and to six lanes between Schönbühl and Kirchberg BE. In western Switzerland, the A1 between Le Vengeron GE and Nyon VD is to be widened to six lanes. In addition, a third tube of the Rosenberg Tunnel on the A1 near St. Gallen is to be built
A second tube of the Fäsenstaub tunnel is planned on the A4 in Schaffhausen. Finally, the A2 east bypass in the Basel area is to be relieved of through traffic with a new Rhine tunnel between Birsfelden BL and Kleinhüningen.
HOW ARE THE PROJECTS FINANCED?
The freeway projects would not be financed from the federal budget, but via the National Roads and Agglomeration Traffic Fund (NAF) and therefore by road users and not from the general federal coffers. The fund is financed by levies such as the highway toll sticker, the automobile tax and the mineral oil tax surcharge.
CAN THOSE AFFECTED HAVE THEIR SAY?
Yes, the six projects are subject to the ordinary approval procedure. According to the federal government, those directly affected, municipalities and associations can make their views known and objections are possible.
WHO ARE THE SUPPORTERS?
The Federal Council and Parliament support the construction projects, as do the SVP, FDP and the Center Party. Associations such as Economiesuisse, the Swiss Trade Association, Auto Schweiz, Touring Club Schweiz, the Swiss Commercial Vehicle Association Astag, the Swiss Automobile Trade Association (AGVS) and Strasseschweiz are financially supporting the Yes alliance. The farmers' association also supports the proposal.
WHAT ARE THE YES ARGUMENTS?
Proponents of the expansion of the motorway network are hoping for more safety and peace and quiet. Freeways are an important piece of the puzzle in the transport system and the most efficient transport infrastructure. They account for just under three percent of the entire road network, but would absorb and channel 45 percent of all vehicle kilometers driven. Freeways therefore relieve cities and villages of through traffic. They therefore suffer less from noise and exhaust fumes.
Proponents also argue that the mobility of people in the country requires infrastructure, both on the roads and on the railways. Traffic jams cost money and time. For rescue operations, it is crucial to get through to the scene of an accident quickly and without traffic jams.
WHO ARE THE OPPONENTS?
An alliance led by the Swiss Transport Club (VCS) and the Umverkehr organization has launched a referendum against the bill. The SP, Greens and GLP as well as environmental and nature conservation organizations, including Greenpeace Switzerland, Pro Natura and Birdlife Switzerland, are recommending a no vote.
WHAT ARE THE NO ARGUMENTS?
Following the Yes vote to the Climate Protection Act in June 2023, opponents argue that the expansion of freeways should be halted. The 2023 motorway expansion phase is "excessive, outdated and overpriced" and runs counter to the legally enshrined reduction targets for exhaust emissions. It is time to invest in means of transport that really solve the problems of the 21st century.
Expanded highways lead to more traffic, longer traffic jams, more air pollution and noise and also more CO2 emissions. This is because an expansion creates incentives to use the expanded route. And not only there, but also on the feeder routes, car traffic increases. Local communities are resisting the highway expansion projects, and these cost valuable land.
WHAT DID THOSE KAMPAGNEN COST?
According to figures published so far on the website of the Swiss Federal Audit Office, the camp in favor has a financial advantage; it has a budget of around CHF 3.7 million. The opposing camp has budgeted around CHF 2.7 million for its campaign. The publication deadline is still open.
HOW IS THE TEMPLATE RECEIVED?
Initial polls suggest that the vote will be tense. In the SRG survey, 51% of respondents were in favor and 45% against. In the Tamedia/"20 Minuten" survey, 56% wanted to accept the bill and 42% wanted to reject it.
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