TUNNELLING PROJECT
The base tunnel was completed in October 2010 and four years later – in October 2014 – diesel trains commenced their operations in the tunnel. By early June 2015 all the systems have been tested and approved, thanks to more than 5,000 individual tests. The amount of work carried out on the Gotthard base tunnel was also significant. About 2,400 people reportedly worked for more than 10 years, digging into the mountain and excavating 28.2 mil t of rock, most of which was recycled as aggregates for concrete and to create embankments. This is not only the longest railway tunnel in the world, but also the deepest. In certain places, there are more than 2,000 m of solid rock between the tunnel and the surface of the mountain. At present, approximately 325 trains pass through the tunnel on a daily basis, including 260 goods trains and 65 passenger trains, with a maximum speed of between 160 and 200 km/hr. In the future, the trains are expected to reach a speed of up to 250 km/hr.
Above, left and below: About 325 trains currently pass through the tunnel on a daily basis, including 260 goods trains and 65 passenger trains, with a maximum speed of between 160 and 200 km/hr.
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