Wil City Parliament Approves Loan for Bicycle Underpass Project Despite High Costs

At the meeting of the Wil city parliament on Thursday evening, in addition to the E-City app affair involving Mayor Hans Mäder, there was another topic to discuss: the project for a new bicycle underpass, in which the post tunnel, which was closed in 2001, is to be converted into a bicycle and pedestrian passage . The construction project is expected to cost 26 million francs. The project planning phase was completed in the spring and feedback from the participation phase has recently been available. The parliamentary session ultimately approved a loan of 2.2 million francs for the development of the “Posttunnel bicycle crossing” construction and implementation project.

And none of the parties present took the opportunity to cast their vote on the million-dollar project. Green city parliamentarian Michael Sarbach was of the opinion: “A no to this future project would be nothing other than a prank.” There would then be a risk that the entire agglomeration program would be put at risk and with it the federal government’s support money, worth several million francs. The fact that the existing post tunnel can be taken over is also a huge opportunity that simply has to be used.

SVP parliamentary group: “Project exceeds the target in terms of costs”

Marco Albrecht from the SVP parliamentary group explained during the meeting that the post tunnel project had been discussed intensively and controversially in his parliamentary group. He says: “The SVP is always in favor of sensible investments in transport infrastructure, but this project is massively over the cost goal for many members.” Nevertheless, he himself supports the project and therefore makes his recommendation to approve the city council’s application.

The case was also clear for Juso city parliamentarian Timo Räbsamen: This central project had to be approved. The city of Wil has set itself the goal of having between 40 and 50 percent bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Räbsamen says: “In 2021 it was 7 percent. We were therefore lucky to have been awarded federal funds. But if we say no today, this money will be gone.”

Alexander Lyner from the EPP expressed his appreciation for the idea of ​​using the postal tunnel. The ramp gradient of ten percent, although relatively steep, is also feasible for cyclists. What should be criticized, according to Lyner, is the massive cost of 26 million francs for an existing hole. “For comparison: the town hall cost 20 million francs,” says Lyner. The center-EPP group is in favor of implementing the cycle path, but not at any price.

FDP: “Something should finally happen in Wil”

Cornelia Kunz spoke in favor of the proposals on behalf of the FDP and GLP parliamentary groups. “Something should finally happen in Wil, that’s what we all want,” says Kunz. She pointed out that financial support from the federal government would only be guaranteed if construction began at the beginning of 2028 at the latest. Kunz says: “If the project is now rejected, it will be impossible to reach this deadline.”

The center also criticized the high project costs. “Two years ago there was talk of 15 million francs, today it’s 26 million, and in 2026 the project would perhaps cost 35 million francs or even more,” says Center parliamentary group leader Reto Gehrig. He particularly considered the planning costs of 5.6 million francs to be “hair-raising”.

Nevertheless, the project loan for 2.2 million francs was ultimately approved relatively without discussion with 26 yes to 7 no votes with three abstentions.