Laax: Flem Xpress Construction To Start As Planned In 2022

Construction work on the new "Flem Xpress" gondola lift, which will connect Flims with the UNESCO World Heritage Tectonic Arena Sardona, will start as planned in 2022. However, the commissioning phase will be different from the original plan. This was decided by the Board of Directors of Cassons AG on Friday, March 25, 2022.

The development of the Tectonic Arena Sardona with a new cable car has been occupying the people of Flims for many years. After a long period of variant discussions, coordination and planning cycles, the project was able to turn onto the home stretch in the last year and a half. The corresponding planning approval process is about to be completed.

The "Flem Xpress" will set new standards in many respects. The route along the Flem River offers unique views of the landscape, the railway system enables maximum comfort for guests and the technology behind it meets the highest demands in terms of ecological and economic sustainability.

The Board of Directors of Cassons AG, which is responsible for the construction and financing of the lift as a joint company of the municipality of Flims and the Weisse Arena Group, met yesterday, Friday, March 25, 2022, and decided on the definitive construction program. He 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 is not aimed at the actual railway system, no amicable agreement could be reached with the objection party, despite intensive negotiations, which would enable construction to start in the coming weeks. There is therefore a risk that the Flims-Foppa-Startgels stage cannot be put into operation in time for the 2022/23 winter season.
• In the past few days, the situation on the commodity markets has changed dramatically due to the Ukraine war. Wood, steel, plastics and special technical parts are difficult or very expensive to obtain. This situation creates additional risks for critical construction delays and drastic cost increases.

In the coming days and weeks, the adapted construction program will be specified. The opening of the entire railway system, with a total of five sections, is still planned for the end of 2024.

The Flem Xpress stands for making the UNESCO World Heritage Tectonic Arena Sardona accessible to everyone and year-round by means of a tourist and future-oriented lighthouse project. The world's first rope taxi system takes guests in Flims Laax Falera directly to their destination. Six different stations are planned. Choose your destination, get on board and experience it - with just one facility, but with the highest level of guest comfort, environmental compatibility and energy savings.