Yesterday (Wednesday June 1) and 17 years after the construction started, the longest rail tunnel in the world was opened. The opening was a festive occasion for Switzerland and they invited several Swiss and foreign dignitaries and the entire country to a party.
During the opening ceremony a presentation showed the structure of the rail tunnel and how Swiss values such as innovation, precision and reliability contribute to the world.
Representatives from the general public were chosen for the first few journeys through the Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT), the longest railway tunnel in the world.
The construction of the century is the start of a new era in European freight transport. The Gotthard Base Tunnel between Erstfeld and Bodio makes it possible to pass through the Alps without barely any changes in height. And the GBT is one of the most important parts of AlpTransit, the New Railway Link through the Alps and the north south connection in Europe. It has a capacity of 240 freight trains and 65 passenger trains per day. However if the AlpTransit will succeed, as the new European transport axis is doubtful since the important connections in Italy and Germany are still not ready. Only with these connections the new Gotthard Base Tunnel will connect the North Sea with the Mediterranean.
The day before the opening transport ministers and European railway managers met in Lugano. They were also present at the opening, just as the members of the Swiss parliament, leaders from Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Liechtenstein and the EU Transport Commissioner. A total of about 1,100 guests attended the opening.
The official celebrations are being followed by several other festivities, such as a feast for project participants, organized by Gotthard AlpTransit, and on the third of June the first freight train will drive through the tunnel. And the following weekend 50,000 to 100,000 visitors are expected at the fairgrounds at both ends of the 57-kilometer long tunnel.
For an impression of the Gotthard Base Tunnel:
Source: gottardo2016.ch