Construction of the Ceneri Base Tunnel officially begins on 2 June 2006 in Camorino near Bellinzona. Tunnelling proceeds from Vigana and from Vezia near Lugano as well as from Sigirino. For safety reasons, two single-track tunnels are built. The breakthrough in the west and east bores is achieved in 2016. The 15.4-kilometre tunnel is scheduled to open in 2020, heralding a new era for regional transport in Ticino.
« A fundamental consequence of the chosen strategy is that cost targets are now being prioritised over deadlines. »
Federal Office of Transport, Concluding report on Ceneri compensation planning by the Infrastructure division, p. 12, 21.11.2006