At the end of January, the civil engineering and waste disposal department of the city of Zurich announced that layers of soil on the Josefwiese would be removed and replaced this spring. The reason for this is partly increased dioxin levels. In 2022, the canton of Zurich examined the surroundings of waste incineration plants (WIP) for dioxins and found residues in soil samples. The entire system was then checked and increased values were found in the areas closest to the viaduct and under the rows of trees on Josefstrasse and Ottostrasse in the top layer of soil (see media release of January 31, 2023).
In the meantime, the work has been planned so that it can be implemented as quickly as possible. In addition, the assessment by tree specialists during tests at the beginning of March showed that soil remediation to the required depth would not be possible without felling the trees or severely damaging the roots. In order to preserve and protect the trees, the contaminated soil under the trees is only replaced as far as possible. In order to achieve the necessary coverage height for unrestricted use by all stakeholders, unloaded material is also applied. The work would then last until the end of June and not until mid-May as originally estimated.
Neighborhood-friendly schedule
Grün Stadt Zürich presented this concrete plan to the neighborhood association, the operators of the Josefwiese kiosk and the pétanque club. As it turned out, the extension of the work would restrict neighborhood festivals and championships or even make them impossible. Postponing the work until after the summer holidays would be more tolerable for the entire district and the restrictions on kiosk operations would be fewer. The work will therefore be postponed until autumn in accordance with the wishes of the district and should be completed this year.
The immediate measures taken in winter remain in place over the summer: Because the contaminated areas are covered or marked, the park can continue to be used safely by the population until work starts, and the planned activities on the Josefanlage can still take place. “The neighborhood association welcomes the postponement of the work so that the Josefanlage can be used as an important open space in District 5 over the summer. We are also pleased that the planned events can take place. We will also carry out the autumn events Streetsoccer and Räbeliechtliumzug in slightly different ways,” says Alex Goetz, President of the Quartierverein 5 Industrie.
