At the second Gotthard tunnel, the tunnel boring machines are starting

Today, Friday, the two tunnel boring machines were launched in Göschenen and Airolo. Numerous guests and employees of the construction companies participated in the celebrations at both tunnel portals. Federal Councillor and UVEK head Albert Rösti emphasized the symbolic significance of the project and wished all participants much success on the way to the tunnel’s midpoint.

(Göschenen/Airolo) After five years of preparation, the main drive for the second tube of the Gotthard road tunnel begins today. With the official launch ceremony for the two tunnel boring machines (TBM) in Göschenen and Airolo, the Federal Roads Office ASTRA, as the client, is initiating the core part of the project: the excavation of the second tube.

The two tunnel boring machines, with a diameter of approximately 12.3 meters and a weight of about 2000 tons, will start from the north and south. Both TBMs will cover a distance of seven to eight kilometers to the starting point and will each pass through a geological fault zone of about 350 meters in length, which will be excavated using conventional methods with excavators. The machines are expected to advance an average of 18 meters per day and are scheduled to reach their destination near the tunnel’s midpoint in spring 2027. The ceremonial breakthrough is planned for autumn 2027. The second Gotthard tube is expected to be opened to traffic in 2030, and the renovation of the existing tube will begin.

Visions, Connections, and Trust

At the ceremony for the launch of the two tunnel boring machines, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti placed the renewed pioneering achievement at the Gotthard at the center. The second tube serves to complete the vision of connecting Swiss regions, particularly Ticino, year-round. “Not to mention the significant safety gains,” said the UVEK head. Together with the cantonal presidents of Uri and Ticino, Christian Arnold and Christian Vitta, he highlighted the extensive expertise of all project participants and thanked the local population for their patience and trust.

Together with the mayors of Airolo and Göschenen, the overall project manager, and representatives of the construction companies, they finally started the tunnel boring machines: Good luck with the upcoming work!

Great Importance for the Swiss Construction Industry

The multi-year preparatory work included, among other things, the relocation of the service and infrastructure tunnel, the excavation of the access tunnels to the two fault zones, and the establishment of the complex infrastructure for managing the excavated material. The last few months were characterized by the delivery and assembly of the two tunnel boring machines from the German manufacturer Herrenknecht.

The main drive now beginning will start simultaneously from both tunnel sides. On the north side, the “ARGE secondo tubo,” consisting of the companies Implenia Schweiz AG and Frutiger AG, is tasked with the work within the budgeted scope of around 467 million francs. On the south side, the work will be carried out by the “Consorzio Gottardo Sud,” which includes the companies Marti Tunnel AG, Mancini & Marti SA, and Ennio Ferrari SA. The contract volume amounts to approximately 499 million francs.

With a total of nearly one billion francs, the two main contracts for the second Gotthard tube are of great significance for the Swiss construction industry. They are among the most important awards in recent years in the cantons of Ticino and Uri.

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