HAUTE-SORNE, Switzerland
Roundabout and road expansion projects near supermarket and Sorne River move forward
Table of Contents
Haute-Sorne faces a 2.35 million franc initial cost for two new infrastructure projects, with significant contributions from Migros and land owners.
- Two major infrastructure projects are planned for Haute-Sorne.
- The initial phase costs 2.35 million francs, with Migros covering nearly half.
- Demolition of an existing roundabout is a required, additional cost.
- Voter approval is needed for credits exceeding 2 million francs.
A proposed roundabout and a supermarket access road to rue du Champ-Hulay, alongside an extension to rue des Vieilles Forges with a new bridge over the Sorne, are set to move forward in Haute-Sorne. The initial step of these projects carries a 2.35 million franc price tag. However, the financial burden on Haute-Sorne itself appears manageable.
Migros is poised to cover a substantial portion of the cost, contributing almost 1.14 million francs. Landowners whose properties are impacted by the road developments will also share in the investment. This contribution is determined by a distribution key based on the size of the affected surfaces.
The breakdown includes 360,000 francs allocated to the town, 180,000 francs for the Pre-Convert Foundation, and 120,000 francs for the bourgeoisie.
Demolition of Existing Roundabout Adds Cost
The remaining 550,000 francs are earmarked for the demolition of the existing roundabout. This demolition is a mandatory requirement from the Federal Road Office.
Haute-Sorne will not receive external funding for this specific demolition cost. The message to the General Council explains that these costs are tied to the broader northeast tangent project. This requirement, communicated to the municipality in July, was not part of the initial agreement established in 2022 between the parties.
Next Steps for Councilors
If the general council approves the 2.35 million franc credit, the councilors will proceed with subsequent steps. This includes the sale of the municipal portion of the land targeted by Migros for a sum exceeding 1.2 million francs. Following this, elected officials will address the final point: ratifying the bourgeoisie’s decision to sell the remaining part of this land for 390,000 francs.
It’s important to note that for the Tangent project to become a reality, it must gain public approval in the autumn. This is because voters are sovereign for any credits surpassing 2 million francs.
The demolition of the existing roundabout is a mandated requirement by the Federal Road Office, adding an unexpected cost to the project that wasn’t initially factored into earlier agreements.
