They make the NRLA a reality: Federal Councillors Adolf Ogi (SVP, 1988–1995), Moritz Leuenberger (SPS, 1995–2010) and Doris Leuthard (CVP, 2010–2018). Without Ogi the NRLA would never have happened. Against a backdrop of increasing traffic, debates over environmental issues and European integration, he becomes an unstoppable force. Leuenberger oversees the first constructions and approval of a number of proposals, including the Federal Decree on the Construction and Financing of Public Transport Infrastructure Projects and the performance-related heavy vehicle fee. Leuthard’s era sees the completion and opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel as well as further work on infrastructure projects (Ceneri tunnel, approach routes, four-metre corridor), but also the second Gotthard road tunnel tube, which runs counter to the goal of shifting goods traffic from road to rail.
« The difficulty of achieving a consensus is also reflected in the fact that within the Federal Councils, much remains in flux. »
Moritz Leuenberger, Speech in Basel, 16. Januar 1997