Works begin for the international link Geneva - Annemasse
The surroundings of Geneva where 910.000 people live and work are straddling two countries: Switzerland and France.
This situation makes transport issues complex for public authorities in charge of it. Transport demand is expected to grow significantly by 2020, due to the forecast increase of the population, expected to reach 1.100.000 at this moment.
The cross border rail based project linking Cornavin Airport, the centre of Geneva (Eaux-Vives) and the French city of Annemasse has been expected for about a century and is about to become reality.
Works began last September and the infrastructure will be in service by 2010-2012. The project consists in drilling a 4.8 kilometre-tunnel, linking existing rail lines that will be upgraded.
In France, 2 more kilometres will be created from the border to Annemasse. The travel time between the Airport and Eaux-vives will be 9 minutes and 17 minutes from the Airport to Annemasse.
The Swiss part of the project will cost CHF 900 million (+/- €600 million) and will be funded 42% by Geneva Canton and 58% by the federal level and the Federal Railways (CFF).
The project is managed by an ad-hoc structure, bringing together the Canton, CFF, the Confederation, working with local developers, municipalities and also with cross border institutions such as “Léman Council” and the French “Region Rhône Alpes”.