Lötschberg Base Tunnel, Switzerland
Key Data:
Country
Switzerland
Project Name
Lötschberg Base Tunnel
Developers
BLS Alp Transit AG
Tunnel Construction Started
1999
Operator
BLS AG
Infrastructure
BLS Netz AG
Route Length
34.6km (21.5 miles)
Total Track
57km (35.4 miles)
Tunnel Portals
Raron, Wallis/Valais and Frutigen, Bern
Gauge
1,435mm
Project Cost
CHF4.3bn
Power
15kV ac overhead supply
Max. Speed – Normal Freight
100km/h (62mph)
Max. Speed – Passenger
200km/h (124mph)
Max. Design Speed – Tilting Trains
250km/h (155mph)
Official Opening and Testing
From June 2007
Commercial Operations
December 2007
Special Characteristics:
World's longest wholly land-based rail tunnel (third longest overall)
High-speed in-tunnel railway
Part of environmental protection measures for Alpine region
Early application of ETCS Level 2
Incomplete project – cutback due to limited resources
