When it first hit the board in 2017, the Green Ray was the promise of an iconic work at the heart of the reSHip's renovation project at the SBB station in Renens. After four years of work, it is now a reality that will colour the daily lives of the users of the 3rd station in French-speaking Switzerland, such as that of the inhabitants of the municipalities of Renens, Chavannes-près-Renens, Ecublens and Crissier. At 150 metres long, 10 to 16 metres wide, and its unique metal and vegetated structure directly connecting the platforms as well as the north and south squares of the station, the bridge welcomed its first passers-by on 25 May 2021.
To mark with a white stone the opening of an exceptional achievement and the transfiguration of the Renens station into a major hub of connections – the fruit of a collaboration between the four territorial municipalities, the SBB and the Canton – but also to present the future mobility hub of the Lausanne West around the station, an inauguration ceremony was held on 25 May. The event was attended by the President of the Council of State Nuria Gorrite, Head of the Department of Infrastructure and Human Resources, SBB CEO Vincent Ducrot, trustees of the partner municipalities, Ms. Tinetta Maystre, and project managers. In addition to this official kick-off without an audience due to COVID-19 restrictions, a programme of entertainment will be offered to the public until 20 June.
This bridge follows a competition in 2007 which was awarded the first prize to the grouping "Rayon Vert" bringing together the skills of engineers, architects and landscapers. A central and emblematic part of the renovation of the SBB station in Renens, its realization was a collective adventure. Funded by the Township and the four territorial municipalities Renens, Chavannes-près-Renens, Crissier and Ecublens, the work will be handed over to the SBB, which will carry out its maintenance as operator of the site. It is also supplemented by the support of the Confederation and close collaboration with the TL and the Western Development And Strategy Office (SDOL) at the start of the process. All the actors involved symbolize the collective and strategic importance of this project: a new foot link link link linking north and south of the tracks to Renens; a direct access infrastructure to the platforms and a link between the m1 and future tram terminals; or the integration of a multi-modal mobility offer that gives pride of place to public transport at the heart of an urban development hub along the rails on the Geneva-Lausanne axis.
The opening to the public of the Green Ray marks the completion of the formidable transformation of Renens station. Now a true mobility hub in the Lausanne West, a place of connections between trains, m1, bus and soon tram, the Renens station is ready to absorb the increase in the number of passengers expected in the coming years. The Leman 2030 work, which was completed last December with longer, higher platforms and new ramps, provides easy and safe access to trains for people with reduced mobility or strollers. This is one of the first concrete achievements for customers of the Geneva 2030 programme, which aims to meet the doubling of demand by the end of the decade and allows a strong development of the vaud RER offer.
Other SBB achievements complete this work: the passenger building is currently under renovation, while a new district is coming to life to the east of the station, the Simplon Park, which is already welcoming new inhabitants, and which will see the arrival of the French headquarters of the SBB this summer. This opening day is also an opportunity for the TL to highlight the route of the future tram which will complete the offer of connections at Renens station and whose work will be officially launched on August 28th.
To fully celebrate the event despite the current restrictions due to COVID-19, and to allow everyone to discover these works as well as the recent developments of the station and the surrounding neighborhoods, activities were organized. Until June 20, the bridge will be decorated and passers-by will be able to discover audio capsules distilling various important information about the perimeter of the station. Two tracks starting in the station square will also be offered and will allow you to discover little-known places, the latest SBB achievements or unusual elements of local history.
Be the first to comment