Results for Gotthard
The first paved road through the mountains
The NRLA follows on from a centuries-old tradition of transport routes through the Swiss Alps.
View eventJourney times become shorter and shorter
In the early modern era, it takes travellers at least ten days to cover the 310 kilometres from Basel to the Italian border; now that same trip can be done in less than four hours.
View eventThe long-standing committee
The legendary Gotthard mountain range also gives its name to a committee. Dedicated to promoting development of the Alpine axis, it was formed in 1853.
View eventTicino sets the pace
The peripheral region of Ticino boasts some magnificent historic stations. The locals are quicker off the mark than their counterparts in central Switzerland, building while money is still available.
View eventKeeping danger in check
Building a tunnel is a dangerous undertaking for those working on it. Various construction sites at the Gotthard attest to the fact that safety precautions are being progressively improved.
View eventInauguration of the Gotthard Tunnel
When it opens, the first tunnel through the Gotthard is the longest rail tunnel in the world. It is mostly financed by foreign capital.
View eventThe Gotthard railway in literature
Spitteler, Moeschlin and Schädelin are just some of the writers captivated by the Gotthard railway.
View eventNationalisation of the Gotthard Railway Company
The SBB is created following the nationalisation of Switzerland’s major private railways. The last to be integrated is the Gotthard, which proves to be the most profitable line.
View eventThe battle with nature
Railways are a comparatively environmentally friendly means of transport. In the Alps, however, they come up against the forces of nature.
View eventThe Europe-Africa Express
An engineer has a vision: from Basel to Chiasso by rail in just two hours – time enough for a shower, a haircut and some telephone calls.
View eventRail tourism
Rail is a popular means of transport. Switzerland’s railway lines contribute to its success as a tourist destination.
View eventThe Gotthard Base Tunnel
The Confederation moots the idea of a «Gotthard Base Rail Tunnel», and commissions Elektro-Watt to develop a project.
View eventCar vs rail
Rail has held onto its lead for a long time, but with the opening of the Gotthard road tunnel in 1980 road transport through the Alps mounts a strong challenge.
View eventThe tunnel plan
Specialists arguing for a Gotthard Base Tunnel point to Switzerland’s important position as a European transit nation.
View eventThe abortive project begins
The plan for the first Gotthard Base Tunnel is thwarted by the economic crisis of the mid-1970s.
View eventGotthard or Splügen?
A tunnel through the Gotthard would be more profitable, but the Splügen would bring more benefits to the regional economy, the experts conclude.
View eventThe Gotthard myth
The Gotthard enjoys mythical status in Switzerland. It symbolises Switzerland’s defensive potential, but also its transit function.
View eventA dissertation revives a railway
Rarely has an academic dissertation caused such a political stir. Hans-Jörg Bertschi’s work lends new momentum to the NRLA.
View eventFive options
Lötschberg-Simplon, Gotthard, Ypsilon or one of two Splügen options? The Federal Council decides to pursue the Gotthard and Lötschberg-Simplon options.
View eventParliament backs the NRLA
Parliament’s backing for the construction of the NRLA is based on regional, environmental and European policy arguments.
View eventApproval from western Switzerland
The main beneficiaries of the base tunnels through the Gotthard and Lötschberg are Zurich, Bern, Valais and Ticino. But the French-speaking cantons of western Switzerland also gain from the NRLA.
View eventYes to the NRLA
Swiss voters approve the NRLA proposal by a clear majority, paving the way for construction of the new Gotthard, Ceneri and Lötschberg tunnels.
View eventWork begins
The NRLA is far more than just the Gotthard Base Tunnel, but the first exploratory boring for the NRLA project takes place at the Gotthard.
View eventGreen light for the network option
The Federal Council confirms the network option for the NRLA, clearing the way for construction of the Gotthard-Ceneri and Lötschberg axes.
View eventUri’s concerns
The canton of Uri is particularly affected by construction of the Gotthard axis. It wants the approach route to the rail tunnel to run underground. Negotiations with the Confederation run far from smoothly.
View eventYes to public transport funding
Funding for the NRLA is secured: over 30 billion francs are to be spent modernising Switzerland’s rail infrastructure.
View eventSupervision
Responsibility for ensuring that the large-scale project proceeds efficiently and in accordance with the law lies with parliament’s supervisory delegation.
View eventGeology and surveying
Tunnel construction depends on scientific knowledge. Geology helps to find ways through the rock.
View eventA fire brings big changes
The fire in the Gotthard road tunnel is a shock. As a consequence, safety precautions are made more stringent in rail tunnels too. The fire paves the way for the second road tube.
View eventThe costs
Funding for the project is hotly debated. The main issue is rising costs.
View eventControl in the tunnel
A new control system transmits movement commands via a digital radio network to a screen in the driver’s cab.
View eventBreakthrough in the Gotthard
The Gotthard Base Tunnel is the centrepiece of the NRLA. The first breakthrough by a boring machine takes place in the east bore.
View eventHistorians and the NRLA
To date, only one academic history of the NRLA has seen the light of day. It was written by the German historian Markus Höschen at the University of Paderborn.
View eventTraversing the Piora Basin
The Piora Basin, with its sugar-grain rock, threatens to endanger construction of the Gotthard Base Tunnel.
View eventUsing the tunnels to get away
The vast majority of passengers taking the train for their journey through the Alps are travelling not for business but for pleasure.
View eventNo to the Porta Alpina
It is a popular vision: the Porta Alpina to connect Sedrun and the Surselva via a lift to the Gotthard Base Tunnel.
View eventA million visitors
During construction of the Gotthard and Lötschberg Base Tunnels, the general public have an opportunity to view the inside of the mountain. Huge numbers do so.
View eventTests on the Gotthard
There is a lot of technology in the new Gotthard line. Extensive tests are carried out to ensure it works properly.
View eventHigh-profile guests at the opening ceremony
No expense is spared at the Gotthard Base Tunnel inauguration ceremony in 2016. Merkel, Hollande and Renzi are in attendance, but not the heads of the EU.
View event43,152 trains
In the opening months, traffic in the new Gotthard Base Tunnel occasionally grinds to a halt. The SBB lay on extra trains to cope.
View eventMind the doors
The escape doors installed in the Gotthard tunnel are the best there is. They owe their construction to the NRLA. One major innovation led to multiple minor innovations.
View eventEscher forever?
The Gotthard line comes about thanks to Basel politics, new tunnel construction technology and an international consensus. Escher’s influence is overestimated.
View eventWhither the mountain routes?
Not everyone is a winner from the NRLA. The future of the world-famous Gotthard mountain route through the Urseren Valley and the Leventina is still undecided.
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