Weiningen – Away with the patchwork quilt: Now the entire Zürcherstrasse is to be given a sidewalk and a uniform cycle lane

The next project for Zürcherstrasse in Weiningen: In the section between Ifangstrasse and Chübelackerstrasse, a two-meter-wide sidewalk is to be built on the north side. The credit of almost CHF 300,000 for this must be approved at an extraordinary community meeting.

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The 70 meters along Zürcherstrasse between Ifangstrasse and Chübelackerstrasse in Weiningen have not been taken into account in either the communal or cantonal road planning in connection with the Gubristausbau. The Weiningen municipal council now wants to change that. He plans to adapt the route to the rest of Zürcherstrasse and to create a uniform lane and a uniform cycle lane.

On the communal Zürcherstrasse, the seven-and-a-half-meter-wide core carriageway with marked cycle lanes, which was previously only planned as far as Grossächerstrasse, is to be continued to the bypass road crossing. The cycle lanes will remain at street level throughout. In addition, a sidewalk is to be built on the northern side of Zürcherstrasse in the section between Ifangstrasse and Chübelackerstrasse. In the future, the street would be equipped with a two-meter wide sidewalk on both sides.

In order to be able to implement this project, the entire street area including the sidewalk must be widened by one meter, which leads to new structural interventions and additional costs. To do this, the municipality now needs a planning and construction loan of almost CHF 300,000. This includes the acquisition of land, construction work and technical work. At an extraordinary community meeting on April 8th in the district center Föhrewäldli in the Fahrweid, the voters can decide on it. Approval of the application would result in annual recurring costs of around CHF 10,000.

A safe sidewalk for future residents

There is no legal obligation for the municipality to adapt the missing stretch of road to the rest of the design, as the approved situation meets the legal requirements. Nonetheless, standardization is preferred. “Since a sustainable road project is being implemented in this area, it seems appropriate to close this gap now,” says the responsible works director Thomas Mattle (SVP). The continuous sidewalk, but also the lane and the bicycle lane would serve the public interest. This also in view of the planned construction projects. “Housing developments are to be built on the area to the north of Zürcherstrasse. For future residents, a safe pedestrian connection along this main traffic axis without crossing roads would also be an advantage. This would also enable future building areas to be opened up without any problems, ”says Mattle.

With the new design, there would also be clear conditions for cyclists – without confusing concept changes. The works management now hopes that the population will also recognize the added value of this project. «The audit committee is behind the application. It would be nice if the whole street soon ran uniformly through the village and everyone could benefit from the optimal solution. ” After a yes to the planning and construction loan and compliance with the statutory deadlines, Mattle reckons that the work could start in early summer.

The extraordinary community meeting will take place on April 8th at 8 p.m. in the Föhrewäldli district center in Fahrweid. In order to be able to start on time, those entitled to vote are asked to register for contact tracing via the online registration on the website of the municipality of Weiningen or using the registration form provided.

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