Planning
The planning of the NRLA is no less important than its construction. The first project for a Gotthard base tunnel dates back to 1961. From that time onwards, plans are drawn up for routes, tunnel variants, approaches, new buildings and goods and passenger capacities – always with particular attention paid to their funding. Engineers have to incorporate countless imponderables in their plans, from the type of rock to be cut – the Piora Basin in the Gotthard is the stuff of legend – to local resistance to the new structures. Compromises have to be made along the way.
Keywords on this topic Planning
The 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 eventThe Gotthard Base Tunnel
The Confederation moots the idea of a «Gotthard Base Rail Tunnel», and commissions Elektro-Watt to develop a project.
View eventRoad vs rail
After the Second World War, plans are made for a road tunnel through the Gotthard. In 1963 the SBB call for a base tunnel, but the Federal Council favours the road solution.
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 eventTraffic forecasts
Forecasts often turn out to be incorrect, but in 1990 the Federal Council gets it spot on.
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 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 event«Rail with road»
In an influential report, Infras recommends an internationally coordinated approach, and shifting road traffic onto the railways.
View eventOrder, build, operate
For the NRLA’s construction, the Confederation separates infrastructure from operations. The new project management system is a success.
View eventWindow of opportunity
Some chances only come once. Even then, they sometimes go unnoticed. Ogi, however, is ready.
View eventThe problem with slots
Planning rail traffic is a complex business: trains travelling on the same tracks can only overtake at a small number of places. The principal planning unit is known as a slot.
View eventThe SBB becomes a limited company
Rail Reform 1 aims at a gradual liberalisation of rail transport.
View eventFrom drawing to 3D model
Major construction projects require meticulous preparation. They are underpinned by a vast range of plans.
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 language in themselves
Every wagon, coach and locomotive bears an assortment of cryptic symbols, letters and numbers without which the railway could not operate.
View event