Almost 24 Million Francs: What Does Cham Say About the Realization Loan for a Car-Poor Center?
Ah, the “Cham Car Poor Center”! Where is that? Oh, it’s a place where cars are more of a plea than a vehicle. Finally, a center that puts a capital “N” in No More Cars! In a modern twist, Cham is set to vote on a 23.9 million franc loan to bring this vision to life. I can hear people saying, “But what if I need to park my car?” Oh, dear reader, that’s what the road and the fairies are for!
What’s All This About?
On November 24th, Cham voters are about to decide their fate! The “Car-Poor Center” is on the ballot, and while most parties are gung-ho about it, there are a few skeptics that suggest, maybe, just maybe, they’d like to hold onto their four-wheeled contraptions for a bit longer. The dream is to make Cham a place where humans and not cars reign supreme. Think of it as a commune for bicycles, walkers, and people enjoying the sweet air without being hit by the fumes of doom!
How Did We Get Here?
Ah, back in 2007, voters in Zug decided they were ready for a bypass—because what could possibly go wrong with more roads? Fast forward to public participation in 2013 and 2014, where they figured out how to handle all that “motorized madness.” Any chance they’d just tell the cars to take a hike? Apparently not! Instead, they brainstormed ways to paddle those pesky wheels onto the bypass. They’ve promised our dear Cham will be free of car chaos by 2027. Hopefully, I won’t still have to dodge cars like I’m playing frogger!
So, What’s the Plan?
The Cham-Hünenberg bypass opens in 2027, right on schedule—because good things take time, or so they say. With that, they’ll create a 30 km/h zone and a strict “no pass unless you’re staying for more than ten minutes” rule. Sounds a bit like a bouncer at a club, doesn’t it? Nobody gets in unless you’re really committed!
The new landscape promises a bike-friendly haven, existing alongside large vehicles that still need to make their triumphant appearances. I can see it now: children riding their bicycles while adults nervously clutch the handlebars, hoping for a breach-free experience!
What’s It Going to Cost?
Now let’s talk money because there’s nothing more exciting than discussing finance—just kidding! So, a total of 23.9 million francs is needed, and to sweeten the deal, the canton is chipping in around 10.2 million francs. Of course, the lovely people of Cham will cough up the remaining 13.7 million francs. Nothing says “we love change” like digging into our collective wallets!
Reactions from the Parties
Now, let’s go party hopping! The SP Cham is all in, stating that less traffic means a chance to redesign the street spaces into attractive and safe hangouts. Sounds blissful! Meanwhile, the Mitte Cham party is over the moon about the potential for a “qualitative quantum leap”—not just a leap, but a quantum leap! I mean, that’s like going from an ordinary hop to a mighty leap that might just take us into another dimension!
Ah, but let’s not forget the dreaded critiques. The Please Cham party is waving its finger, claiming the budget is too rich for their tastes. They ask how daring taxpayers should give away their cash just to move a roundabout or two and relocate bus stops—like chess pieces, but with actual public transport consequences! And then there’s the FDP Cham expressing concern that if we remove zebra crossings, children will have to re-learn how to cross the street like someone’s guaranteeing they’ll magically know how to operate like seasoned pedestrians!
Final Thoughts
The upcoming vote has all the makings of a nail-biting drama—will they go for a car-poor fantasy or cling to their gas-guzzlers? While I don’t have a crystal ball, if people are motivated enough by a lovely stroll without the imminent risk of becoming roadkill, Cham might just leap into a new era! The world could indeed use more car-free zones. Or at least, less chaotic rounds of road rage. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for a happy ending!
Don’t forget: November 7th in the Lorzensaal Cham, come for the information, stay for the charming debates!
This piece brings a blend of cheekiness and observational humor, fusing well with the serious nature of infrastructure and community decisions while ensuring it’s engaging and lively.
Almost 24 million francs: What does Cham say about the realization loan for a car-poor center?
On November 24, Cham voters will make a crucial decision on a significant loan to bring the “Cham Car Poor Center” project to fruition. While there is broad party support for the initiative, some criticisms and reservations have emerged in recent discussions.
The future vision for Cham is at stake: voters will soon determine the fate of the “Car-poor Center” initiative.
Bild: Stefan Kaiser (Cham, 30. 1. 2024)
The upcoming municipal referendum on November 24th will serve as a decisive moment for the future of the “Car-poor Center Cham” (AAZ), as residents will vote on the implementation loan essential for the project’s progress.
The initiative aims to enhance the village center alongside the ongoing U.S. construction project for the Cham–Hünenberg bypass road (UCH), which is overseen by the canton. By relieving the village center of automobile traffic, this bypass is projected to significantly improve local traffic conditions when it becomes operational in 2027.
What happened so far
Following the 2007 approval from Zug voters for the Cham–Hünenberg bypass, public participation processes in 2013 and 2014 aimed to identify effective measures to redirect traffic effectively to the new roadway.
In June 2021, the go-ahead was given for a loan to conduct a project competition for the “Cham Car Poor Center.” After thorough engagement with the public, the winning concept was refined and moved into the consultation phase in 2024. The resultant plans set the project’s estimated cost at 23.9 million francs, which voters will decide on November 24.
The Neudorf area is expected to undergo significant transformation as part of the project.
How to proceed
Set to open in 2027, the Cham–Hünenberg bypass (UCH) will alleviate congestion in the village center, with accompanying measures to support this goal. These include designating a 30 km/h speed limit in the village center and prohibiting passage when the stay in that area is less than ten minutes.
The Bärenkreisel will continue to serve as a turning point for larger vehicles, while the Rabenkreisel will be transformed into a more efficient intersection. Cyclists will share the road with motor vehicles, given that the expected speed reductions will enable safer and more manageable mixed traffic conditions. Bus stops are also planned along the roadway.
Traffic reduction will allow for notable enhancements in the street spaces of Cham. As detailed in an informative brochure released by the municipality, planned visual modifications will include narrowing streets with side concrete strips, complemented by green areas and parallel rows of trees to foster an attractive “optimized urban climate.”
The redesign will create more freedom for pedestrians to cross streets, adding pedestrian crossings on critical school routes and introducing new seating options. Innovative soil design will facilitate rainwater collection for irrigation of urban greenery, embodying the “sponge city” approach. Additionally, LED lighting will illuminate the city’s streets, enhancing energy efficiency.
What it costs
The total investment required for the redesign and revitalization of the Cham village center is estimated at 23.9 million francs. Should the loan receive approval in the upcoming referendum, the canton of Zug is expected to contribute approximately 10.2 million francs, leaving the municipality of Cham responsible for around 13.7 million francs to carry out the project.
The raven roundabout is set to be eliminated in favor of a new intersection design.
How the parties feel about it
Die SP Cham shows unwavering support for the initiative, emphasizing that reducing car traffic creates opportunities to transform the streetscapes into more pedestrian-friendly and attractive environments.
According to the vision of Mitte Cham, the creation of a car-poor center represents a “massive opportunity” for residents, promising substantial enhancements to the quality of life in the village center.
Die Please Cham perceives the projected costs of 23.9 million francs as excessively high and advocates for a more judicious application of taxpayer funds. They specifically criticize the plan to dismantle the raven roundabout and shift bus stops to the road.
Die GLP Cham views the project as well-balanced, acknowledging that numerous concerns raised in public discussions have been duly integrated. The initiative offers a valuable chance to revitalize Cham’s town center.
The Alternative – the Greens Cham party endorses the project for its potential to elevate the village center’s status and sustain the community’s needs.
The FDP Cham expresses support for the project while voicing apprehension regarding the removal of zebra crossings between key roundabouts. They highlight the importance of safe pedestrian crossings for children’s traffic education.
A notice: A public information session will be held on Thursday, November 7th, starting at 7 p.m. in the Lorzensaal Cham to discuss the proposed loan for advancing the Car-poor Center design (AAZ).
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The article discusses the upcoming municipal referendum on November 24 regarding a loan essential for the “Car-poor Center Cham” project. This initiative aims to transform the village center by reducing car traffic, particularly in conjunction with the planned Cham–Hünenberg bypass road, which is expected to alleviate congestion by 2027.
Support for the project appears to be widespread among local parties, with the SP Cham highlighting the benefits of creating more pedestrian-friendly and visually appealing streetscapes. The Mitte Cham party regards this initiative as a significant opportunity for residents, suggesting that it will lead to a substantial improvement in the quality of life in the village center.
The total cost of the project is estimated at 23.9 million francs, with a substantial portion expected to be covered by the canton, leaving the municipality responsible for about 13.7 million francs if the loan is approved. While there are some criticisms and reservations regarding the initiative, the overall sentiment seems to favor the transformation of Cham into a more accessible and appealing space for residents and visitors alike.
