Flood protection Uri lowers the river bed at the Matterhorn-Gotthard bridge in Realp

In order to be better protected against flooding, the canton of Uri is lowering the riverbed of the Reuss in Realp near the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway bridge. The federal government is contributing to the total costs of around CHF 390,000.

The lowering of the river bed, the deepest part of a river bed, is intended to increase the flow of debris at the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway bridge, the canton announced on Thursday. This will ensure the outflow for a flood expected every 50 years.

In addition, there will be fewer evacuation costs after a storm and safety for the residential area in Realp and for the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway will be increased, according to the canton.

The construction project also makes ecological sense. Fish passability, i.e. the requirement that fish can move freely over longer distances, will be improved as a result, the canton added.

The work around the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway bridge will cost CHF 390,000, according to the press release. The federal government is contributing to the costs, as is the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway. According to the press release, the remaining costs for the canton of Uri amount to around 100,000 francs.

Construction work will start next Monday and the protective measures should be completed by the end of November this year.

SDA