141 residents demand 30 km/h speed limit on the Holzhäusernstrasse

Despite the bypass, concerns about increased traffic in Hünenberg are growing: Residents of Holzhäusernstrasse have therefore submitted a petition. But their request is unlikely to be successful.

The issue:

• Via a petition, 141 residents of the Holzhäusernstrasse and the Weidstrasse are demanding a 30 km/h speed limit on a section of the Holzhäusernstrasse in Hünenberg.
• They fear increased traffic in their neighbourhood following the completion of the Cham-Hünenberg bypass, and want to curb through traffic and traffic diverting from other areas.
• The canton sees things differently: It points to declining traffic figures and currently has no plans for traffic calming measures on the road.

It will be just over a year until the Cham-Hünenberg bypass, or UCH (Umfahrung Cham Hünenberg) opens. The road project is intended to relieve the town centres from through traffic. But residents of the Holzhäusernstrasse neighbourhood in Hünenberg fear the exact opposite: they anticipate increased traffic in their area.

In a petition, 141 residents of the Holzhäusernstrasse and the Weidstrasse are therefore demanding the introduction of a 30 km/h speed limit. The speed reduction should apply to the section between the Burgstrasse-Chamerstrasse intersection and the bus loop at the edge of the residential area.

They write that traffic volume has increased significantly in recent years. Unlike the Luzernerstrasse in Hünenberg See, the Holzhäusernstrasse will not see any relief from the opening of the UCH. This is because traffic towards Rotkreuz and the motorway access towards Lucerne and the Gotthard from the Freiamt and Seetal region travels exclusively via the Drälikerstrasse, i.e., from the Zollhus, and thereby along the Holzhäusernstrasse.

Together with other residents, Wolfgang Sidler is demanding a 30 km/h speed limit on Holzhäusernstrasse.            
The Holzhäusernstrasse from a bird's-eye view.                   Photos: Jakob Ineichen
 

To prevent "undesirable diversionary traffic"
In addition, the canton is planning a cycle path starting at the Burgstrasse/Chamerstrasse intersection. The petitioners fear that this will make the Holzhäusernstrasse even more attractive - leading to a further increase in traffic. The petition states that they are convinced "that a 30 km/h speed limit would significantly reduce through traffic, especially towards Küssnacht, Schwyz, and Lucerne." In addition, a 30 km/h limit would prevent "undesirable diverted traffic" on side streets.

One of the residents is Wolfgang Sidler. He explains that not only has the traffic increased, but also the speed of cars and lorries. "And this is right through the middle of a residential area, with dangerous road crossings, especially for children." He adds that there are also confusing situations at driveways and entrances.

Why are the residents raising their concerns now? After all, the planning for the Cham-Hünenberg bypass and the accompanying measures has been underway for some time. Wolfgang Sidler explains that they have now become active because the planning for the renovation of the Holzhäusernstrasse is imminent. The cantonal civil engineering office (Tiefbauamt) has announced an information event about the project for September.

The resident also emphasises that much has changed since the vote on the Cham-Hünenberg bypass almost 20 years ago. "More than 15,000 people are now employed in the municipality of Risch alone, and according to the plans of the municipality of Hünenberg, there will be 6,000 jobs in the Bösch industrial park in the future." It is therefore "urgent and important" that the canton also address the issue.

Traffic is decreasing anyway
The Holzhäusernstrasse is a cantonal road, and the canton is tempering the petitioners' hopes. In response to an enquiry, cantonal engineer Marc Amgwerd writes: "A decrease in traffic has been observed over the past three years." This is supported by measurement data: 7,182 vehicles were counted in average daily traffic in 2023, 7,029 in 2024, and 6,941 last year.

The canton expects a further decrease after the commissioning of the UCH, and this is shown in the traffic forecast for the construction and planning approval process for the bypass. Marc Amgwerd added: "Traffic calming measures on the Holzhäusernstrasse due to traffic safety and noise concerns are not under consideration." The canton will address the petitioners' concerns "within the framework of the established procedure."

According to the cantonal engineer, the planned road renovation and expansion for bicycle traffic are scheduled to begin in 2029. He writes: "The planning for the construction project will continue until autumn 2026, and the public consultation is planned for 2027."