Three major construction projects around La Punt Chamues-ch, Bever and Madulain are to change the river landscape and traffic routes between 2025 and 2032. The three municipalities, the Rhaetian Railway and the Graubünden Civil Engineering Department presented their projects to the public on Friday.
With the revitalization of Inn and Chamuerabach, the bypass with tunnel and the RhB route straightening, three major construction projects are pending around La Punt Chamues-ch in the coming years. The projects should be coordinated in such a way that the impact of the work on the population and the landscape can be kept as small as possible. More than 200 people attended an information event for the population on Friday. Councillor Carmelia Maissen emphasized that the parallel implementation of the three projects is a unique opportunity.
Infrastructure projects and the upgrading of nature could be pursued in parallel.
Engadinstrasse H27 will in future cross La Punt in a tunnel almost 600 meters long. From Bever, it is moved towards the slope. A new roundabout and a new bridge across the Inn are being built at the gates of Madulain. Construction on the new La Punt bypass will start next spring and should be completed by 2032. The project costs are estimated at 83.5 million francs.
Parallel to the new road, the Rhaetian Railway line will also be moved further up the slope. The route between Bever and La Punt will now have just two long curves instead of four. As a result, trains can travel significantly faster. The acceleration measures will save 40 seconds of travel time in the future. The Rhaetian Railway needs them to create more timetable stability and additional train connections in the valley. For example, a new shuttle train will connect the towns between Zuoz and St. Moritz every half hour. The project costs amount to around 23 million francs.
Revitalization creates natural landscape
The relocation of roads and railways creates the necessary space for the final stage of the revitalization of the Inn in Upper Engadin. In future, the Inn will be able to expand to the left in the direction of the river. At Chamues-ch, the Chamuerabach is being restored at the same time. After construction, a unique natural landscape can be created at the bottom of the valley, which will have a Swiss-wide appeal.
The areas required for revitalization can be fully compensated for the affected farms. The estimated costs for the revitalization amount to around 52 million francs. 80 percent of them are covered by the federal government. The canton's contribution is still open and the municipality of La Punt Chamues-ch, as the building owner, is also seeking funding from third parties.
There was a great deal of interest in the projects. Numerous questions were discussed in the fully staffed hall. The municipal assembly of La Punt Chamues-ch is expected to vote on the revitalization project in 2026.
Press release from the municipality of La Punt Chamues-ch dated November 29, 2024.
Since 2019, Christian Gartmann has been responsible for project communication for the three major projects.