Architects hope the light and airy architecture will allay people's fears about the urban cablecar link.
Keystone
Zurich Cantonal Bank has presented plans for a cablecar link crossing over Lake Zurich, which it plans to build to help mark the bank’s 150th birthday in 2020.
A request for approval has now been filed with the Federal Office of TransportExternal link (FOT), the bank said on Friday. It expects the FOT’s decision by summer 2019, and work could start in autumn the same year.
The “Zuribahn”, as the project is known, is expected to cost between CHF40 million (USD40 million) and CHF60 million. It will be paid entirely by Zurich Cantonal Bank (ZKB) as a gift to the city. The aim is that it should be profitable after five years, says the bank.
According to the plans it would have 18 cabins, each able to carry 24 people between the Mythenquai beach on one side of the lake to the Zurichhorn park on the other.
The project has already been approved by Zurich city and cantonal authorities, but it faces some opposition from the public. Many people fear that it will scar the landscape and lead to more traffic. Some 2,200 people have signed a petition against the project.
Architectural plans unveiled on Friday should allay the aesthetic fears, according to project director Rolf Rufer. “Of course we did visualisations. The view of the Alps is not spoiled and the architectural project integrates with the scenery,” he said.
The bank is also planning a partnership with Swiss Federal Railways to try to limit car traffic around the lake. According to Rufer, the project, if it becomes a reality, could be an interesting urban transport solution that could inspire other cities like Basel or Geneva.
Switzerland has many cablecar links in mountainous regions, but rarely builds them in urban areas such as congested Zurich.
More
More
Zermatt inaugurates world’s highest tri-cable car system
This content was published on
After more than two years of work and CHF52 million ($53 million), the system was inaugurated Saturday in southern Switzerland’s Zermatt resort.
Have you heard something about Swiss diplomacy that you’d like us to fact check?
Not all information circulating about Switzerland’s foreign relations is accurate or well understood. Tell us what you'd like us to fact check or clarify.
Gerhard Pfister to step down as Swiss Centre Party leader
This content was published on
Swiss Centre Party president Gerhard Pfister will step down next summer, the party announced in a press release on Monday.
SWISS crew member ‘died as a result of oxygen deprivation’
This content was published on
SWISS crew member reportedly died of brain damage resulting from lack of oxygen, following an emergency landing last month.
Zurich flights cancelled due to snow and freezing rain
This content was published on
Snowfall and freezing rain severely disrupt air traffic at Zurich airport over the weekend, with more than 50 flights being cancelled.
Terror threat rising in Switzerland, says Attorney General
This content was published on
The number of active terrorism investigations in Switzerland has doubled since 2022, according to the country’s top prosecutor.
Credit Suisse Nazi ties ‘ran deeper than thought’: media report
This content was published on
Credit Suisse is alleged to have withheld details of its historic links with World War II-era Nazi clients, says the Wall Street Journal.
Swiss man faces life imprisonment after Australia drugs arrest
This content was published on
Swiss man, 21, accused of attempting to smuggle 25 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of CHF4.5 million into Australia.
Swiss insurer Helvetia says 500 jobs affected by cost-cutting
This content was published on
Some 500 jobs, including 200 to 250 in Switzerland, are affected by the new operational efficiency measures recently announced by insurer Helvetia.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.