Reuss Amsteg flood protection project
As part of the cantonal flood protection project for the River Reuss in Amsteg, Atel Transmission Ltd. and the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) are laying a section of their existing separate line system in the municipalities of Silenen and Gurtnellen. The canton of Uri intends to lower and widen the Reuss river bed near the Amsteg motorway junction. The flood protection project directly affects two masts for the SBB's 132-kV transmission lines and an Atel 220-kV mast on the Airolo-Mettlen grid section. The lines will now be moved 1.6 kilometers to four new shared pylons. The project requires the SBB to replace two additional supporting structures. Combining the two line sections of Atel and SBB and relaying the line will improve non-ionising radiation protection in the residential area of Grund, in the municipality of Silenen.
Work scheduled for completion at the end of June 2009 Excavation work for the foundations started on 2 February 2009. Installation of the masts, cabling work and the dismantling of old lines and foundations are scheduled for completion by the end of June, followed by corrosion protection work using green paint in 2010. The total cost of replacing the pylons is around CHF 3.5 million. The new lattice steel pylons are state-of-the-art and comply with the more rigorous requirements for high-voltage lines introduced in recent years. The tallest of the new structures is 76 meters high.
Reuss flood protection project for Amsteg In 1977, 1987, 1999 and 2005, flooding caused by the River Reuss bursting its banks prompted the cantonal government of Uri to draw up a protection programme for residential and business areas and infrastructure facilities. The programme entails lowering and widening the river bed and reinforcing the river banks. The construction work for the programme will last from November 2008 to May 2010.