“For the next generation”: National Council wants to expand A1 to six lanes!

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The same business, two completely different perspectives: According to SVP Transport Minister Albert Rösti (56), current politics “also owe the next generation a good transport infrastructure”. However, for Green National Councilor Marionna Schlatter (42), it is clear: “He who sows roads, will reap traffic.”

Rösti ultimately prevailed in the Grand Chamber. With 94 votes against, 87 and 4 abstentions, the National Council voted in favor of expanding the A1 motorway to six lanes on the Bern-Zürich and Lausanne-Geneva routes. The government had recommended a corresponding motion by SVP national councilor Erich Hess (42) for acceptance.

“Chronically overloaded”

Hess justified his motion by saying that the traffic intensity on the 410 kilometer long A1 is now much greater than before. The highway is one of the “chronically busy routes in the country.” The daily traffic jam reports would prove this. And usage will continue to increase for the foreseeable future.

Some routes, such as between Härkingen SO and Wiggertal AG, have already been expanded to six lanes. Another stage is planned between Härkingen and Luterbach SO. Now SVP man Hess demanded that the Federal Council push the general expansion of the A1 to six lanes.

Expand tracks and roads

“We want to expand both the rail and national road infrastructure,” explains Federal Councilor Rösti. The government plans to expand the A1 where it is chronically overloaded. Villages connected to the A1 and affected by alternative traffic would suffer.

The opponents – namely representatives of the Greens, the GLP and the SP – who opposed the motion were surprised by the attitude of the Federal Council. National Councilor Schlatter emphasized that the Federal Council is in favor of expanding motorized individual transport, even though the population has only just voted to be climate neutral by 2050.

Climate neutrality and such a highway expansion are not possible at the same time. And: “Cars are and will remain inefficient vehicles, even with electrification,” Schlatter continued.

This meant that the majority in the National Council received little attention. The Council of States must then decide on the motion. (dba/SDA)

Source:Blick