New mountain station in Titlis for 120 million francs

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Titlis Bergbahnen in Engelberg OW will begin the first work of the construction project on the 3020-metre-high mountain next week. The project aims to ensure the long-term attractiveness of the region for national and international tourism.

Completion of the project, designed by Basel architects Herzog & de Meuron, is scheduled for 2029, as Titlis Bergbahnen announced on Friday. The project envisions a new mountain station. The directional beam tower will be expanded and a tunnel built between the tower and the mountain station.

Pierre de Meuron told media in Lucerne that the project was “unique” for his architecture office. He emphasized that it will not be carried out by an investor, but by the Central Swiss region. The project will be completed in six years. Mountain railways announced that operations will remain guaranteed during this time.

Project cost 120 million francs

The tower will be expanded first. It remains a directional beam tower, Herzog & de Meuron pushing two objects through it in the form of a cross. These serve as bars and restaurants. The steel character of the tower is preserved. The mountain station, which has been expanded several times, is being rebuilt in crystalline form.

As Titlis Bergbahnen explains, the project is calculated to be more expensive than it was five years ago due to inflation, delivery bottlenecks and “new requirements and findings”. Costs estimated at around 100 million francs so far are now 120 million francs. Some of the additional investment goes towards making the business cheaper.

According to Titlis Bergbahnen, all building permits have been obtained or at least approved by the authorities. The tourism company announced that the consultation process has been completed and all objections have been resolved.

Reduce emissions and energy

Hans Wicki (FDP), Titlis board chairman and Nidwalden councilor, criticized the length of the building permit process. It’s interesting that “If I want to spend money, I have to plan for five years”. After a phone call with Federal Council Member Albert Rösti, however, it worked and permission was granted. On the other hand, the spatial planning process, including the shifting of a cantonal border, went fast.

Titlis is geared towards national and international tourism. With the construction project, the mountain railways want to secure their core business in the long term and strengthen the Engelberg destination. It was said that the construction project not only increased the aesthetic value of the buildings and facilities in Titlis. Above all, emissions and energy savings can be achieved.

Almost back to pre-corona level

Titlis, with its glacier up to Corona, was a popular travel destination for Asian tourists. Mountain railways announced that more and more international guests are returning. The first half of the 2022/23 fiscal year gives reason for optimism. Wicki said that this development made it easier to approve the project.

With 568,070 initial entries, the company says it’s just 5 percent below the five-year average for the pre-pandemic period. The international individual guest record was broken.

Wicki said group tourism has only returned moderately. But this is not only bad, because individual tourists stay longer and their added value is higher. (SDA)

Source :Blick