Gotthard Base Tunnel, Switzerland
Key Data:
Country
Switzerland
Project name
Gotthard Base Tunnel
Developers
AlpTransit Gotthard AG (SBB)
Route length
57km (35.4 miles)
Tunnel portals
Erstfeld, Uri and Bodio, Ticino
Gauge
1,435mm
Summit altitude
550m
Power
15kV ac overhead supply
Constructing consortia
ARGE AGN, ARGE Transco-Sedrun, ARGE TAT
Rail infrastructure consortium
Transtec Gotthard
Workforce
Approx. 2,000
Max tunnelling speed
40m per day
Extimated project cost
€17.9bn
Max speed - passenger
250km/h (155mph)
Max speed - freight
160km/h (100mph)
Expected opening
2017
Construction began
1996
Boring completed
October 2010
Special Characteristics:
Part of environmental protection measures for Alpine region
Project has produced the world's longest rail tunnel
Proportionally big expansion of Swiss high-speed rail routes
Shortens route distance and reduces train haulage requirements
Increase of capacity on main European rail artery
