On 17 December 2003, the Council of States follows the National Council in approving the additional loan and the partial release of blocked funding for the second phase of construction. The Ceneri Base Tunnel can now be built. In the heated debate, Federal Councillor Moritz Leuenberger describes the tunnel as an indispensable component of the Gotthard axis, stating: «This is the only way to make the railway a flat line between Basel and Chiasso.»

« Forward-looking solution with regard to southern and northern continuation »

Federal Office of Transport, PowerPoint presentation (result)