On June 30, Chur Mountain Railways (BCD) submitted the preliminary approval request to the Federal Office of Transport (BAV) for review. The estimated cost is 35 million. With a construction cost escalation of 15.1 percent, BCD is staying within the maximum cost framework of 30.5 million.

BCD aims to submit the final approval request by the end of October 2023. Environmental organizations, including WWF and Pro Natura, have been involved “early on and exemplary,” and they consider the environmental documents to be “very successful.” The usage and management concept clearly illustrates the conflicts and solutions.

20 gondolas specifically for bikers

The complex spatial planning procedures involving two municipalities, a region, the canton, and the federal government have been coordinated with the support of the Plessur region. The railway supplier, Garaventa AG, is part of the Austrian DOPPELMAYR/GARAVENTA group. As the market leader, they are headquartered in Wolfurt, Vorarlberg. They will provide the 40 gondolas for the 10-person gondola lift, with at least half of them being specially equipped for bikers.

The Brambrüeschbahn new construction project is based on BCD’s overall concept for Chur’s local mountain, the Khurer Hausberg. The target groups are families, sports enthusiasts, pleasure-seekers, as well as international tourism guests who want to enjoy the panoramic view of Fülian.

The requirement set by the city of Chur for the project is to operate without any operational cost contributions in the future. However, this is only possible if there is an increase in guest frequency by 30 percent to reach 150,000.

According to Bergbahnen Chur, achieving this increase necessitates the implementation of the current new construction project:

• A 10-person gondola lift suitable for bikers in two sections, with automated operation (1.2 million)
• The IBC energy center beneath the valley station to secure the future construction of the underground garage for the Stadthallenareal (1.2 million)
• The panoramic restaurant on Fülian (3.5 million)
• The E-Shuttle on Brambrüesch (0.35 million)
• A slide path (0.8 million)
• A skills park and a water and nature playground (0.5 million)