Not all parties are satisfied

Almost 24 million francs: What does Cham say about the realization loan for a car-poor center?

At the end of November, Cham voters will decide on the loan to implement the “Cham Car Poor Center”. The parties are largely in favor of the project. But there are also criticisms and reservations.

This is no longer what it should look like in the future: at the end of November, the people of Cham will vote on the implementation loan for the “Car-poor Center” project.

Bild: Stefan Kaiser (Cham, 30. 1. 2024)

The municipal referendum on November 24th will decide, among other things, what happens next in the matter of the “Car-poor Center Cham” (AAZ). The voters decide on the implementation loan for the project.

The upgrading of the village center is linked to the U.S. construction project currently underwaymfahrstraße Cham–Hünenberg (UCH) together. This is implemented by the canton. The bypass road is intended to relieve the Cham village center of car traffic by means of accompanying measures once it goes into operation in 2027.

What happened so far

After the voters of the canton of Zug in the year 2007 had agreed to the Cham–Hünenberg (UCH) bypass, followed over the years 2013 and 2014 a public participation process to determine the accompanying measures for the project. They are intended to help redirect motorized traffic to the UCH relief road.

The loan for a project competition for the “Cham Car Poor Center” was awarded in June 2021 released. 2023 The winning project was further developed together with the population and went 2024 into the consultation. The current plans serve as the basis for the cost estimate of the project, more precisely: 23.9 million francs. The people of Cham vote on the loan for its implementation 24. November ab.

The Neudorf area is expected to change as a result of the project.

How to proceed

The Cham–Hünenberg bypass (UCH) is scheduled to go into operation in 2027 and the center of Cham will be relieved of motorized traffic. The accompanying measures should contribute to this. These include a 30 km/h zone in the village center and a ban on passage if the stay in the center lasts less than ten minutes.

With regard to traffic routing, the Bärenkreisel would remain as a turning point for larger vehicles. The Rabenkreisel should be replaced by an intersection with right-of-way. Cyclists would be driven on the road in mixed traffic because the speed reduction would mean they would be traveling at about the same speed as cars. Stops on the road are planned for buses. The number of parking spaces in the center would remain the same, but some of them would be rearranged along the street. Additional public bicycle parking spaces are also planned.

The bear roundabout should remain in place and be additionally greened.

As a result of the traffic reduction, the street spaces in Cham can be improved. One shows exactly what that means Information brochure the municipality of Cham. As can be seen in the visualizations shown therein, the streets are to be visually narrowed using side concrete strips. With meadow sections and partially placed rows of trees along the street, the traffic area should also become more attractive and contribute to an “optimized urban climate”.

In the future, streets should be allowed to be crossed everywhere, and pedestrian crossings would also be created on main school routes. New seating is also planned. The specially designed soil conditions are intended to collect and store rainwater so that it can later be used to irrigate urban greenery. This principle is also called “sponge city”. LED lamps would also be used throughout the city lighting. The redesign of central squares such as village square, church square and Rigiplatz is planned in a separate process.

What it costs

It will cost 23.9 million francs to redesign and upgrade the Cham village center. If the loan is approved in the referendum at the end of November, the canton of Zug will contribute around 10.2 million francs towards the costs. The municipality of Cham would therefore have to pay 13.7 million francs to implement the project.

The raven roundabout should be removed and an intersection built instead.

How the parties feel about it

Die SP Cham supports the project “with full conviction”. Reducing car traffic opens up the possibility of redesigning the street space and making it more attractive and safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

According to the Mitte Cham The car-poor center is a “huge opportunity for the Cham population and a qualitative quantum leap for the quality of stay in the village center”. An attractive and inviting village center is an added value for the entire population.

Die Please Cham judges the total costs of 23.9 million francs to be significantly too high. A more conscious use of tax money is appropriate. Among other things, the party criticizes the fact that the raven roundabout should be removed and the bus stops should be moved to the road.

Die GLP Cham considers the “Car-poor Center Cham” project to be balanced. Many concerns that were raised during the public consultation or by the commissions were taken into account. The project offers the opportunity to modernize the Cham town center and make it more attractive.

According to the Alternative – the Greens Cham the project ensures the desired upgrading of the village center. For this reason, the party supports the project.

Die FDP Cham supports the project, but expresses concerns about the removal of the zebra crossings between the bear and raven roundabouts, as children learn in traffic lessons how to cross the street safely using zebra crossings. Without these usual markings, they would suddenly be faced with a new traffic situation. Even at reduced speeds, the risk remains that not all road users will comply with the regulations.

A notice: On Thursday, November 7th, from 7 p.m. in the Lorzensaal Cham, information will be given about the voting proposal for the realization loan for the design of the car-poor center (AAZ).