Federal Supreme Court Construction of a footbridge in the Pfynwald VS floodplain is not permitted

The planned bridge over the Rhone in the Pfynwald forest as part of the work on the A9 highway between Sierre and Gampel (VS) is off the table. The Federal Supreme Court has rejected the appeals of the Canton of Valais and the municipality and burgher community of Salgesch.

The Pfynwald is listed in the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments of National Importance. This pine forest is also a floodplain area of national importance, which is located in the Pfyn-Finges Regional Nature Park.

In a ruling published on Wednesday, the Federal Supreme Court came to the conclusion that the 280-metre-long footbridge was not necessary for visitor guidance and that the latter could be achieved by other means. Acceptance of restrictions to protect the area could be promoted by expanding bus services.

According to the court, it is not clear why roads and paths can only be removed if a footbridge is built. Furthermore, it cannot be ruled out that the problem of impacts could merely be shifted.

SDA