Gotthard Base Tunnel: The longest railway tunnel in the world enters into operation
moreAfter a construction period of some 17 years the 57 km long Gotthard Base Tunnel will open for partial commercial service. The tunnel was officially opened on 1 June 2016 with numerous personalities from Switzerland and abroad attending the ceremony. The completion of the imposing structure was celebrated for several days.
Responsibility for the longest railway tunnel in the world was handed over to SBB in late May. The coming months comprise the last commissioning phase which, together with partial commercial service (freight trains), will end when the timetable is changed in December 2016.
Since the start in 1995 (permit application phase), ILF Consulting Engineers has been entrusted with reviewing all the structural components relevant for serviceability and load-bearing capacity and has been participating in several working groups and expert teams under difficult conditions.
We would like to thank all involved parties for their work and congratulate them on this success!