Tribune de Geneve says it comes down to a city versus state spat
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – A detail that appears to have been missing from the architectural plans for a new footbridge close to the Mont Blanc bridge lies behind a political spat in the city, the Tribune de Geneve reports. The city newspaper says the additional CHF2-3 million that will be required once the architectural plans are revised to accommodate passage of the CGN boats, the Mouettes, is causing an argument, and not the first, between the city and the canton, over who is at fault for the oversight.
The footbridge, for pedestrians and cyclists, will have to be started by 2014 if Bern’s agreement to cover 40 percent of the cost is to be respected. The bid specifications for the bridge limited the cost to CHF20 million, but according to the Tribune, costs are already up to CHF30m due to unforeseen costs.
The architectural firm of Pierre-Alain Dupraz in Geneva won the contract in May 2012 (photo collection, architect’s drawings)
The bridge will link the United Nations square and downtown Geneva, with access near the UN from chemin Eugène-Rigot, the Sécheron train stop or Avenue de France, by crossing the top of the P+R (park & ride) area.
