Objections against large-scale railway project in Berne
Opposition is mounting to the planned expansion of the train station in Bern. According to various media reports, a large number of objections have been raised against the project. SBB is planning the station expansion from the beginning of 2017 with an investment volume of 867 million Swiss francs.
There have been many objections, especially from the nearby Engehalde neighborhood. Residents fear years of construction noise and high dust emissions. The reconstruction of the station is to take a total of ten years. Among other things, a new underground station for the Bern-Solothurn Regional Transport (RBS) with four tracks is to be built. This new station section alone will cost 522 million Swiss francs, with an additional 345 million Swiss francs estimated for a new underpass.
The local council has also raised an objection. It is calling for a task force to exchange information with the neighboring neighborhoods and their residents. In addition, a large installation site for the construction work is planned in the nearby Hirschenpark, which has met with massive criticism. The Federal Office of Transport (FOT) is now reviewing the submissions after the end of the objection period. (mr)
