Better access and an upgrade of the lake promenade

The two municipalities have been working together for some time as part of the local planning revision for a better accessibility and upgrading of the lake promenade.

Three exciting studies for the redesign of the lake shore between Unterägeri and Oberägeri were received from the first Ideas Competition in 2019. The study by the landscape architects Studio Vulkan from Zurich was further elaborated last year, and questions relating to bicycle traffic management were clarified in cooperation with a traffic planner. The plan will connect the two villages and link the recreational areas along the lakeshore, all in balance with nature. According to the media release of the two municipalities, a new, safe and attractive path between Unterägeri and Oberägeri is to be created – a lighthouse project which will make the Ägeri valley highly appealling, even beyond the municipal boundaries.

Strolling on the lake
The connection between Oberägeri and Unterägeri – partly realised with a footbridge along the lake – is intended to invite you to stroll. With a width of about two and a half metres, the “See-Steg” (Lake Bridge) will be reserved exclusively for pedestrians, as stated in the joint communication. The bridge sections will connect to the existing promenade sections on the land and will thereby connect the now open and less attractive connecting pieces. Various path sequences with different experiences are created, which will serve as a route in everyday life, as well for excursions at the weekends. In order to allow boats to pass, bridge elements will be selectively integrated into the See-Steg. For cyclists, a continuous cycle route is planned on the land side.

Picture 1: Strolling on the Ägerisee: A footbridge should make this possible
Picture 2: A continuous cycle route will along the lake shore
Visualization: PD

In dialogue with many stakeholder groups
The preliminary project has now started. The engineering office Staubli, Kurath & Partner AG, together with specialists in geology and ecology, will work out a project that can be approved by spring 2022. The landscape architecture will be further assisted by Studio Vulkan. The planning process is very demanding. "In addition to the specialist cantonal offices, the affected neighbouring landowners on the shore are one of the most important stakeholder groups. It is important to us to get them on board at an early stage, and to quickly clarify any questions or uncertainties in joint dialogue. We will therefore contact them directly in late summer," says Fridolin Bossard, the responsible Unterägeri municipal councillor. "However, we are confident that we will be able to present a loan proposal in both municipalities by December 2022. If the green light is then given, the goal would be a realisation from the year 2026," says the Oberägeri mayor, Marcel Güntert.

Costs will be divided in half
The two municipalities will each bear half of the pre-project costs. The project has also been registered in the so-called “Zug 4th generation agglomeration programme”. This includes packages of measures in the areas of public transport, foot and bicycle traffic, or upgrading and safety measures, and enables the co-financing of transport infrastructures if they meet the federal requirements. Due to the initial situation of the "Seepromenade Ägerital" project, the federal government is expected to contribute around 35% to the total costs.