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The Gotthard Sud Infocentre visitor centre
is part of the overall project for the new Alpine AlpTransit
railway tunnel, the large-scale project now in progress
and aimed at the modernisation of public transportation
infrastructures. The project is highly desired by the
Swiss to protect the sensitive Alpine environment. Owing
to this new transport network, the large influx of traffic,
especially for goods, will be redirected off the roads
for rail transport. The AlpTransit Gotthard Company has
the task of completing the Gotthard Base Tunnel according
to the planned work schedule and costs, but it is also
called upon to inform the public as to the progress of
these major works. Thanks to the new Pollegio visitor
centre, all interested persons are offered the opportunity
of learning about the various aspects involved in the
construction of this important transportation network.
The centre was designed by the architectural firm Bauzeit
Architekten GmbH of Bienne, and the exhibits by the Oï
firm of Bienne. The architecture and the displays are
striking and innovative in terms of the concepts underlying
the presentation and the "staging". The building
was constructed with material extracted from the Gotthard
Base Tunnel, in keeping with the principle adopted by
the AlpTransit Gotthard Company, according to which most
of the material extracted from the various tunnels will
be re-utilised. The exhibits are marked by strong emotional
impact, owing to the use of advanced audio-visual techniques.
The information centre was officially opened in the month
of April 2003. The centre is addressed to a vast public,
emotionally and with highly sophisticated multimedia techniques
that illustrate topics relating to the construction of
the tunnels, aspects related to naturalistic factors and
mineralogy, the environment and mobility. Space has also
been dedicated to cultural and historical aspects, including
the food and wines of St. Gotthard, the economy of the
Bellinzona and Upper Ticino Region and the touring possibilities
offered in the Region, and thus the Canton as well. This
new facility definitely represents an important new element
in terms of the content, means and the services marked
by a high added value in terms of their expression. However,
the facility is also important and innovative in terms
of its architectural distinctiveness.
In addition, with the establishment of the Infocentro
Gottardo Sud SA company, the tourist agencies that are
members of the Alto Ticino Pool have established a record
in the Canton. In fact, they have joined together as the
sole shareholders for the management of this ambitious
and innovative project. |
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