A Swiss bank wants to build a cable car over Zurich's lakeshore. A first look at what promises to be a controversial project.
A 1.4-kilometer long, 77-meter high cable car stretching from Zurich's eastern lakeshore to the western one? It could become reality by 2020 if one Swiss bank has its way.
Switzerland has more than 130 aerial tramways in mountainous regions, such as the famous Matterhorn network of connecting the Valais resort to 3,883 metres above sea level – the highest cable car station in Europe.
The alpine nation rarely builds them in urban areas such as congested Zurich. Zuercher Kantonalbank is launching the project to commemorate its 150th birthday – the trip from Landiwiese to Zurichhorn can already be taken virtually (see video below).
ZKB envisages 35 gondolas to transport nearly 500 people at a time – the only comparable projects in Switzerland include cable cars at a national expo in 1939 and during a national garden show in 1959.
Besides the cable car project, which is planned for five years, ZKB also plans an up to 15,000 square meter park with a cultural pavilion, hanging gardens with indigenous plans as well as work spaces on the western Lakeshore (see video below).
ZKB is majority-owned by Zurich's government, which supports the plan.
