GOTTHARD TUNNELS – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.

Tunnels have been built through the Gotthard-Range for more than three centuries. The Gotthard Base Tunnel will be the longest tunnel in the world. An epoch-making project.

1707

The master builder Morettini from Ticino chipped and blasted a 64-m-long tunnel through the Chilchberg mountain – it is known as the ‘Urner Loch’.

1872

Construction of the first rail tunnel through the Gotthard begins, under the direction of the Swiss engineer Louis Favre.

1880

Breakthrough is achieved on February 29, with impressive precision for that time.

1882

The longest railway tunnel in the world at the time, with a length of 15 kilometers, goes into operation.

1969

Construction of the first road tunnel through the Gotthard begins.

1980

The first road tunnel is opened to traffic and connects Göschenen with Airolo.

1993

Exploratory drills begin at the Piora Basin.

1996

The first preparatory and exploratory work for the Gotthard Base Tunnel begins in Sedrun.

1998

The Swiss government approves financing for the New Alpine Transversal (NEAT).

1999

Excavating activities begin in Sedrun with the first blasting works.

2001

The first machine orders are awarded to Herrenknecht.

2003

Tunneling work with the four Herrenknecht Gripper TBMs begins.

2006

The Herrenknecht TBMs on the northern and southern sections of the Base Tunnel reach their first target –up to nine months ahead of schedule.

2008

The dreaded Piora Basin is successfully crossed by the S-210.

2009

Mechanized tunnelling is successfully completed in the north.

October 15, 2010

Main breakthrough Tunnel in the Eastern tunnel between Sedrun and Faido.

March 23, 2011

Main breakthrough in the Western tunnel between Sedrun and Faido.

2017

The Gotthard Base Tunnel – the centerpiece of the new Alpine transversals – is scheduled to go into operation.