The National Council Committee puts the brakes on the Grimseltunnel

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The responsible committee of the National Council wants to investigate the realization of a multifunctional Grimsel tunnel. However, she is making changes to a corresponding motion from her sister committee of the Council of States – and would like to speed it up.

Two weeks ago, during the spring session, the Council of States unanimously approved a proposal that aims to advance planning for a new Grimseltunnel. In concrete terms, this involves a tunnel in which the rail connection and high-voltage line are bundled.

National Council wants careful investigation

The reason for this is that the high-voltage line on the Grimsel, which is often more than 60 years old, needs to be replaced. If a 22-kilometre single-track narrow-gauge tunnel is now built between Innertkirchen BE and Oberwald VS, the lines can also be routed through it. This can save you the costly renovation of the high-voltage pylons.

The National Council Committee for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy (Urek-N) thinks it is good in principle, the parliamentary services announced on Tuesday. However, the text of the motion goes too far for the Committee. According to this, the Federal Council should apply for the project planning loans in 2023.

“But we want a pure investigation of the project and not a preliminary decision,” said Urek-N chairman Jon Pult, 38, at the request of the Keystone-SDA news agency. Before a decision is made, the project should be thoroughly examined so that Parliament can rely on reliable costs and assess the project as a whole.

Final decision only in 2026

With 19 votes in favour, 4 against and 2 abstentions, the Urek-N therefore agreed to an amended text of the motion – without a mandatory implementation order and without the necessary project planning credits. Then the company goes to the National Council.

The Federal Council welcomes the investigation of the project, as it stated in its written statement on the motion at the end of February. However, before a decision to implement is taken, the construction readiness of the project and the cost-effectiveness of the railway operation must be clarified.

Federal Councilor Albert Rösti said in the States Council that the exact cost estimates for the Grimsel tunnel would be known by 2026. As part of the next step of the railway expansion, Parliament could then decide whether or not it wants the Grimsel tunnel. (SDA/sq)

Source:Blick