Dignitaries gathered to watch a symbolic first explosion to expand one of the major transit routes through the Alps.
The original 16.9km Gotthard road tunnel was opened in 1980 to connect the southern canton of Ticino with central Switzerland. It is one of Switzerland’s most important transport routes and among the longest road tunnels in the world.
A second tunnel, to be built parallel to the first, was approved by voters in 2016. The CHF2.14 billion ($2.3 billion) project, between Göschenen in the central Swiss canton of Uri and Airolo in Ticino, is expected to finish in 2029.
It was built to keep the crucial road route open while the original tunnel is closed to undergo a major structural facelift. That should be complete by 2032, at which time both tunnels will be operating side-by-side.
It is hoped the twin tunnels will ease the long traffic queues that regularly form at the tunnel during holidays.
The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by more than 150 guests, was postponed from the spring due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Popular Stories
More
Culture
Documentary portrays Swiss teenagers forced to return to parents’ homeland
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
Swiss university graduates are popular hires worldwide
This content was published on
Graduates of Swiss universities are popular with international employers, according to the Global Employability University Rankings.
French cross-border workers in Switzerland fear ‘discriminatory’ unemployment reform
This content was published on
In the French region around Geneva, cross-border workers are protesting proposals to cut unemployment benefits for those working in Switzerland.
Swan infected with bird flu in central Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland has reported its first bird flu case of the season. A swan found dead in central Switzerland tested positive for the H5N1 virus.
Swiss researchers identify gene variants linked to cancer progression
This content was published on
ETH Zurich researchers explored genetic mutations’ effects on cell function and their role in cancer development and treatment using CRISPR/Cas techniques.
Explosion at Swiss company Givaudan’s US plant leaves two dead
This content was published on
Swiss flavour and fragrance maker Givaudan reported that an explosion at its Kentucky plant resulted in two deaths and several injuries.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Yes, the Gotthard tunnel needs to be safer. But how?
This content was published on
Imagine a line of 8,500 vehicles driving along a single, four-metre-wide lane. On the other side of the road, going in the opposite direction, are another 8,500 vehicles. That is basically what happens every day in the Gotthard tunnel, the longest and most heavily used road tunnel in Switzerland. This is a highly risky situation,…
This content was published on
Final results show a 57% majority of voters coming out in favour. A broad coalition of environmental groups and mainly leftwing parties challenged a decision by parliament last year for a second 17km tube through the Gotthard in the heart of Switzerland. Transport Minister Doris Leuthard said the broad support by voters from around the…
This content was published on
Some 30,000 people on Saturday and another 50,000 on Sunday attended events at four locations: Erstfeld and Rynächt in canton Uri as well as Pollegio and Biasca in canton Ticino, at the other end of the 57 kilometre-long tunnel. It was the first time members of the public – who largely financed the project through…
This content was published on
In announcing the decision on Wednesday, Transport Minister Doris Leuthard said the government had studied the issue thoroughly. “Every option has advantages and disadvantages and is technically possible … The second tunnel is the one that makes the most sense.” The plan envisages full closure of the current 30-year-old tunnel, one of Europe’s major north-south transit…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.