Flem Xpress – Construction to begin as planned in 2022, change in phasing

Laax, March 26, 2022. Construction work on the new "Flem Xpress" gondola lift, which will connect Flims with the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tectonic Arena Sardona, will start as planned in 2022. However, the phasing of the commissioning will undergo changes compared to the original plan. This was decided by the Board of Directors of Cassons AG on Friday, March 25, 2022.

The development of the Sardona Tectonic Arena with a new railway has been a topic of discussion among the residents of Flims for many years. After a long period of discussions about different options, votes, and planning cycles, the project has finally entered the home stretch over the past year and a half. The corresponding planning approval process is nearing completion.

The Flem Xpress will set new standards in many respects. The route along the Flem River offers unique views of the landscape, the rail system provides maximum comfort for passengers, and the technology behind it meets the highest standards of ecological and economic sustainability.

The board of directors of Cassons AG, the joint venture between the municipality of Flims and the Weisse Arena Group responsible for the construction and financing of the railway, met yesterday, Friday, March 25, 2022, and decided on the final construction program. It decided to start construction work as planned in 2022, but to postpone the dismantling of the Flims-Foppa-Naraus line by one year to spring 2023 and to extend operations until then.

This is for the following two reasons:

Although an existing objection does not target the actual rail system, despite intensive negotiations, it has not been possible to reach an amicable agreement with the objecting party that would allow construction to start in the coming weeks. There is therefore a risk that the Flims-Foppa-Startgels stage will not be able to go into operation in time for the 2022/23 winter season.

In recent days, the situation on the raw materials markets has changed dramatically due to the war in Ukraine. Wood, steel, plastics, and specialized technical components are now difficult to obtain or very expensive. This situation poses additional risks of critical construction delays and drastic cost increases.

The revised construction program will be finalized in the coming days and weeks. The opening of the entire railway facility, comprising a total of five sections, is still scheduled for the end of 2024.

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