Glattal progress

Construction of the first phase of Stadtbahn Glattal is making visible progress. Pedestrian underpasses are being cut into the railway embankment at Hallenstadion (the widening of the roadway will consume the existing pavements). The girders were delivered by rail and moved into position by heavy cranes. The work is requiring some late evening closures of the Oerlikon to Wallisellen railway.

A second round of tree felling on Thurgauerstrasse has begun. In total 70 trees will be felled but these will be replaced by 130 new ones. Thurgauerstrasse is being reduced from four to two traffic lanes for the duration of construction and police are advising drivers to use public transport.

The buildings opposite Ambassador Hotel (these are standing on the alignment of the new tram) are currently being demolished. Construction of the Ambassador to Auzelg section will begin in earnest in January

There have been some clashes of opinion over the moving of services and how the costs should be shared. VBG believe the utilities should provide a larger part of the costs than these are willing to pay. The roadway is public property and utilities can use it free of charge on the understanding that they share risk and responsibility for changes - VBG interprets such changes to include the laying of tram tracks, but the utilities maintain the tramway is not part of the public roadway and that road building legislation does not apply. The matter is being dealt with by the courts. Legal action is not delaying construction because work is initially financed from the Stadtbahn Glattal fund and costs subsequently distributed.

VBG