View source for Gotthard Base Tunnel

{{short description|Railway tunnel through the Swiss Alps}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox tunnel
|name = Gotthard Base Tunnel
|official_name = {{ubl|{{langx|de|Gotthard-Basistunnel}}|{{langx|it|Galleria di base del San Gottardo}}|{{langx|rm|Tunnel da basa dal Sogn Gottard}}}}<!--Local languages are German, Romansh and Italian-->
|image = 20141120 gotthard-basistunnel02-wikipedia-hannes-ortlieb.jpg
|image_size = 250
|caption = Turnout at Faido multifunction station
|line = [[Gotthard railway|Gotthard Line]]
|location = [[Switzerland]] ([[Canton of Uri|Uri]], [[Canton of Grisons|Grisons]] and [[Canton of Ticino|Ticino]])
|coordinates = {{ubl|{{coord|46.83586|8.64647|display=inline,title}} (north portal)|{{coord|46.37267|8.92535}} (south portal)}}
|system = [[Swiss Federal Railways|Swiss Federal Railways (SBB&nbsp;CFF&nbsp;FFS)]]
|status = Active since 11 December 2016<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/gotthard/commissioning/ |title=Commissioning |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |access-date=12 May 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> (Partially interrupted 10 August 2023 to 2 September 2024)<ref>{{cite web|date=16 August 2023|location=Berne, Switzerland|publisher=SBB CFF FFS|title=Gotthard Base Tunnel Derailment: everything you need to know for your trip|url=https://news.sbb.ch/artikel/124217/gotthard-base-tunnel-derailment-everything-you-need-to-know-for-your-trip}}</ref>
|crosses = [[Alps]] (western [[Glarus Alps]] and central [[Lepontine Alps]] at the eastern [[Saint-Gotthard Massif|Gotthard Massif]])
|start = [[Erstfeld]], [[canton of Uri]] (north, {{convert|460|m|ft|disp=or|abbr=on}})
|end = [[Bodio]], [[Ticino|canton of Ticino]] (south, {{convert|312|m|ft|disp=or|abbr=on}})
|stations = 
|startwork = 4 November 1999<ref name=ConstructionBegin>{{cite web |url=https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/overview/construction/events/ereignis/construction-begins//?no_cache=1&navigationOpen=1 |title=Construction begins |publisher=Swiss Federal Archives SFA, Swiss Federal Office of Transport FOT, Swiss Confederation |location=Bern, Switzerland |date=2016 |access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref>
|opened = 1 June 2016<ref name=countdown>{{cite web |title=155 days until opening |url=http://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/home.html |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |access-date=29 December 2015 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|closed = 
|owner = [[Swiss Federal Railways|SBB Infrastructure]]
|operator = SBB&nbsp;CFF&nbsp;FFS
|traffic = Railway
|character = Passenger and freight
|length = {{convert|57.09|km|mi|1|abbr=on}}; total {{convert|151.840|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} for all tunnels, shafts and passages<ref name=Projectdata/>
|linelength = {{ubl|{{convert|57.104|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} (east tunnel)|{{convert|57.017|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} (west tunnel)<ref name=Projectdata/>}}
|notrack = 2 [[single track (rail)|single-track]] tubes<ref name=Projectdata/>
|gauge = {{RailGauge|sg}} ([[standard gauge]])
|el = [[15 kV AC railway electrification|15 kV 16.7 Hz]]
|speed = {{ubl|class=nowrap|
 |'''Passenger''' ('''service''')''':'''
 |{{convert|200|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}}
 |'''Passenger''' ('''if delay''')''':''' 
 |{{convert|230|km/h|0|abbr=on}}{{refn|<ref name=axe_NS_SaintGothard>[https://company.sbb.ch/fr/medias/dossier-pour-les-journalistes/tunnel-du-saint-gothard.html Axe nord-sud du Saint-Gothard] (SBB/CFF website).</ref><ref name=SBBoperation/><ref name=giruno>[https://company.sbb.ch/en/media/background-information/giruno.html Giruno] (SBB/CFF website).</ref>}}
 |'''Maximum''' ('''technical''')''':''' 
 |{{convert|250|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}}
 |'''Freight:''' 
 |{{convert|100|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
}}
|hielevation = {{convert|549|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=Projectdata/>
|lowelevation = {{convert|312|m|abbr=on}} (south portal)<ref name=Projectdata/>
|height = {{convert|5.20|m|ftin|abbr=on}} from top of rail to overhead conductor<ref name=Projectdata/>
|grade = {{ubl|max 4.055‰ (north)|max 6.76‰ (south)<ref name=Projectdata/>}}
|map = [[File:Map Gotthard-Basistunnel.png|250px|center|Route map]]
}}

The '''Gotthard Base Tunnel''' ('''GBT'''; {{langx|de|Gotthard-Basistunnel}}, {{langx|it|Galleria di base del San Gottardo}}, {{langx|rm|Tunnel da basa dal Sogn Gottard}}) is a railway [[tunnel]] through the [[Alps]] in [[Switzerland]]. It opened in June 2016 and full service began the following December.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.srf.ch/news/ueber-und-durch-den-gotthard-eine-zeitreise-durch-die-jahrhunderte |title=Über und durch den Gotthard – eine Zeitreise durch die Jahrhunderte |publisher=[[Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen|SRF Swiss Radio and Television]] |date=1 June 2016 |location=Zürich, Switzerland |language=de |access-date=4 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36423250 |title=World's longest and deepest rail tunnel to open in Switzerland |work=BBC News |date=June 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref> With a route length of {{convert|57.09|km|mi|abbr=on}},<ref name=Projectdata>{{cite web |title=Project data – raw construction Gotthard Base Tunnel |url=https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/fileadmin/dateien/media/zahlen_und_fakten/gbt_e.pdf |date=1 June 2016 |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |access-date=15 December 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> it is the [[List of longest tunnels|world's longest railway and deepest traffic tunnel]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geomatik.ch/fileadmin/redaktion/download/2010/Fach/FA_12_2010_1.pdf |title=Gotthard- und CeneriBasistunnel: die neue Gotthard-Bahn nimmt Gestalt an |publisher=Geomatik Schweiz |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304205956/http://www.geomatik.ch/fileadmin/redaktion/download/2010/Fach/FA_12_2010_1.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=TA2>{{cite news |url=http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/wissen/technik/wer-hat-die-groesste-roehre/story/14922381 |title=Wer hat die grösste Röhre? |trans-title=Who has the longest tube? |type=graphical animation |newspaper=[[Tages-Anzeiger]] |location=Zürich, Switzerland |date=14 April 2016 |language=de |access-date=11 May 2016}}</ref><ref name="BBC News 2016">{{cite web |title=Gotthard tunnel: World's longest and deepest rail tunnel opens in Switzerland |website=[[BBC News]] |date=1 June 2016 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36423250  |access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref><ref group=note>The [[List of longest tunnels|world longest tunnel]] for transport of people is the [[Line 3 (Guangzhou Metro)|Guangzhou Metro Line 3]] in China (60 km). Reference: {{in lang|fr}} Nic Ulmi, [https://www.revue-horizons.ch/2018/09/06/pourquoi-la-suisse-aime-tant-ses-bunkers-et-ses-tunnels/ "Des trous suisses remplis d'imaginaire"] [interview with André Ourednik], ''[[Swiss National Science Foundation#Research magazine Horizons|Horizons]]'', magazine of the [[Swiss National Science Foundation]] and the [[Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences]], number 118, September 2018, pages 22-23.</ref> and the first flat, low-level route through the Alps.<ref>Yücel Erdem, Tülin Solak, ''Underground Space Use. Analysis of the Past and Lessons for the Future'', CRC Press, 2005 (p. 485)</ref> Located at the heart of the [[Gotthard Pass|Gotthard]] axis, it is the third tunnel to connect the cantons of [[Canton of Uri|Uri]] and [[Canton of Ticino|Ticino]], after the [[Gotthard Tunnel]] and the [[Gotthard Road Tunnel]].

The GBT consists of a large complex with, at its core, two [[Single track (rail)|single-track]] tunnels connecting [[Erstfeld]] (Uri) with [[Bodio]] (Ticino) and passing below [[Sedrun]] ([[Canton of Grisons|Grisons]]). 
It is part of the [[NRLA|New Railway Link through the Alps]] (NRLA) project, which also includes the [[Ceneri Base Tunnel]] further south (opened on 3 September 2020) and the [[Lötschberg Base Tunnel]] on the other main north–south axis. 
It is referred to as a "[[base tunnel]]" since it bypasses most of the existing vertex line, the [[Gotthard railway|Gotthard railway line]], a winding mountain route opened in 1882 across the [[Saint-Gotthard Massif]], which was operating at its capacity before the opening of the GBT. 
The new base tunnel establishes a direct route usable by [[high-speed rail]] and heavy [[freight train]]s.<ref name="malins">{{cite news |last=Malins |first=Richard |title = Crossing the Alps |url=http://www.modern-railways.com/view_issue.asp?ID=4522 |work =[[Modern Railways]] |issn=0026-8356 |location=London |pages=79–81 |date=December 2010|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

The main purpose of the Gotthard Base Tunnel is to increase local transport capacity through the Alpine barrier, especially for freight on the Rotterdam–Basel–Genoa corridor. The tunnel is specifically meant to shift freight to trains from [[truck]]s, and thereby to reduce [[environmental damage]] and deadly road crashes. The tunnel also provides a faster connection between the canton of Ticino and the rest of Switzerland, as well as between northern and southern [[Rail transport in Europe|Europe]], cutting the [[Basel]]/[[Zürich]]–[[Lugano]]–[[Milan]] journey time for passenger trains by one hour (and from [[Lucerne]] to [[Bellinzona]] by 45 minutes).<ref>{{cite news |last=Monnat |first=Lucie |date=11 December 2014 |title=Le tunnel de base du Gothard révolutionnera le rail dans deux ans |url=http://www.24heures.ch/suisse/Le-tunnel-de-base-du-Gothard-revolutionnera-le-rail-dans-deux-ans/story/23248700 |newspaper=[[24 heures (Switzerland)|24 heures]] |location=[[Lausanne]] |access-date=7 June 2015}}</ref>

After 64 percent of Swiss voters accepted the NRLA project in a [[1992 Swiss referendums|1992 referendum]], the first preparatory and exploratory work began in 1996. Construction began in November 1999 at [[Amsteg]].<ref name="Chronology">{{cite web |title=Chronology of a Project of the Century: Milestones in the Construction History up to 2010 |url=http://www.57km.ch/fileadmin/gotthard/Downloads/Dokumente_PDF_e/Chronology_e.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313192759/http://www.57km.ch/fileadmin/gotthard/Downloads/Dokumente_PDF_e/Chronology_e.pdf |archive-date=13 March 2012 |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |access-date=20 April 2013}}</ref> Drilling operations were completed in March 2011.<ref name=NeatKosten>{{cite periodical |url=http://www.admin.ch/opc/de/federal-gazette/2016/6665.pdf |title=Oberaufsicht über den Bau der Neat im Jahre 2015: Bericht der Neat-Aufsichtsdelegation der eidgenössischen Räte zuhanden der Finanzkommissionen, der Geschäftsprüfungskommissionen und der Kommissionen für Verkehr und Fernmeldewesen |author=Thomas Müller |author2=Isidor Baumann |periodical=Bundesblatt |publisher=NRLA supervisory board of the federal councils |volume=2016 |issue=16.005 |date=29 April 2016 |id=BBl 2016 6665 (-6732) |language=de, fr, it |page=6686 |access-date=6 June 2017}}</ref> Completed in 2016, the final cost was reported to be CHF 12.2 billion ({{US$|12}} billion).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-switzerland-rail-tunnel-20160601-snap-story.html|title=After 17 years and $12 billion, Switzerland inaugurates world’s longest rail tunnel|date=1 June 2016|location=Geneva|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|via=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=24 October 2024}}</ref>

==Description==
The Gotthard Base Tunnel, with a length of {{convert|57.09|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} and a total of {{convert|151.84|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} of tunnels, shafts and passages, is the [[List of long tunnels by type|longest railway tunnel in the world]],<ref group=note>Excluding subway tunnels that lie near the surface. See also: [[List of longest subway tunnel sections]] and [[List of longest tunnels]].</ref> with a [[geodesic|geodetic distance]] of {{convert|55.782|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} between the two portals.<ref name=Projectdata/><ref name=TA2/> It is also the first flat route through the [[Alps]] or any other major mountain range, with a maximum elevation of {{convert|549|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level,<ref name=Projectdata/> corresponding to that of [[Bern]]. It is the deepest railway tunnel in the world, with a maximum depth of {{convert|2450|m|abbr=on}},<ref name=Projectdata/> comparable to that of the [[List of deepest mines|deepest mines]] on Earth. Without ventilation, the temperature inside the mountain reaches {{convert|46|C|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Projectdata/>

Like the two other tunnels passing below the Gotthard, the Gotthard Base Tunnel connects two Alpine valleys across the [[Saint-Gotthard Massif]]: the ''Urner Reusstal'' in the [[canton of Uri]], in which flows the river [[Reuss (river)|Reuss]], and the [[Valle Leventina]], the largest valley in the [[canton of Ticino]], in which the river [[Ticino (river)|Ticino]] flows. Unlike most other tunnels, the Gotthard Base Tunnel passes under several distinct mountain massifs, two of them being major subranges of the Alps, the [[Glarus Alps]] and the [[Saint-Gotthard Massif]], with the valley of the [[Anterior Rhine]], the [[Surselva]] in the [[canton of Graubünden]], between them. The tunnel passes under these two ranges more than {{convert|2000|m|ft|abbr=on}} below the [[Chrüzlistock]] ({{convert|2709|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=or}}) and the [[Piz Vatgira]] ({{convert|2983|m|ft|disp=or|abbr=on}}, near the [[Lukmanier Pass]]). While the cantons of Uri and Ticino are part of the German- and Italian-speaking areas of Switzerland respectively, the Surselva is mainly [[Romansh language|Romansh]]-speaking.

{{multiple image
|width = 
|align = left
|image1=GBT and the Weather 3 (north).jpg|alt1=
|image2=GBT and the Weather 3 (south).jpg|alt2=
|footer = The north and south portals on the same spring day. Note the prevalence of coniferous trees and snow at the north portal and their absence at the south portal.
}}

The Alps strongly influence the [[European climate]] – and [[Climate of Switzerland|that of Switzerland]] in particular – and there can be substantially different weather conditions at each end of the GBT, described by the Ticinese architect [[Mario Botta]]: "The light changes at the Gotthard: that of the Mediterranean Sea is not the same as that of the continent, that of the central lands, that of Europe far away from the sea."<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Der Gotthard-Basistunnel. / La galleria di base del San Gottardo. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHCOx73zDis  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/cHCOx73zDis |archive-date=22 December 2021 |url-status=live|medium=Trailer |time=1:45 |publisher=SBB CFF FFS |location=Bern, Switzerland |via=YouTube |date=27 May 2016 |people=Mario Botta |language=it |quote=la luce del Mare Nostrum, è diversa rispetto alla luce del mondo interno, del mondo dell'altopiano, del mondo dell'Europa lontana dal mare Mediterraneo |access-date=12 December 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On average, the temperature is about {{convert|3|C-change|F-change|0|abbr=on}} higher on the south side than the north side, but on some days, temperature differences are well over {{convert|10|C-change|F-change|abbr=on}}.<ref group=note>See the climate tables of [[Altdorf, Switzerland|Altdorf]] and [[Grono, Switzerland|Grono]], two towns situated near each end of the tunnel. See also [http://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/home/climate/past/climate- normals/climate-diagrams-and- normal-values-per-station.html?region=Map Climate diagrams and  normal values per station] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007075905/https://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/home/climate/past/climate- |date=7 October 2018 }} ([[MeteoSwiss]]).</ref>

The north portal lies in the north of the municipality of [[Erstfeld]] at an elevation of {{convert|460|m|abbr=on}}, east of the Reuss. There, the tunnel penetrates the western slopes of the [[Bälmeten]] and [[Chli Windgällen]] (although only marginally) before passing below the valley of the Chärstelenbach, a creek in the [[Maderanertal]]. From there, the tunnel runs parallel to the small valley of Etzli, below the [[Witenalpstock]]. The main crest of the Glarus Alps, which is the watershed between the Reuss and the Anterior Rhine, is crossed below the [[Chrüzlistock]], the crest having an elevation of about {{convert|2700|m|abbr=on}} at this point. From the crest and border, the tunnel runs parallel to the small valley of the river Strem (Val Strem) before passing below [[Sedrun]] and the Anterior Rhine. From the bottom of the valley, the tunnel proceeds towards the valley of the Rein da Nalps (Val Nalps) and passes east of [[Lai da Nalps]], before crossing the Gannaretsch range below the western summit of [[Piz Vatgira]] ({{convert|2981|m|abbr=on|disp=or}}). This is the deepest point of the tunnel, with a rock layer of {{convert|2450|m|abbr=on}} above it. The tunnel then passes below the valley of the Rein da Medel (Val Medel) and west of [[Lai da Sontga Maria]]. After a few kilometres the tunnel crosses the watershed between the Anterior Rhine and the Ticino, just north of [[Pizzo dell'Uomo]] ({{convert|2525|m|abbr=on|disp=or}}). This point corresponds to the [[main chain of the Alps]], and is the main drainage divide between the [[Rhine]] and the [[Po (river)|Po]]. For a few kilometres, the tunnel passes below two western tributaries of the [[Brenno (river)|Brenno]] in the [[Valle Santa Maria]] before crossing the last range, west of the [[Passo Predèlp]] (about {{convert|2500|m|abbr=on|disp=or}}) and east of [[Faido]]. It then follows the eastern slopes of the large [[Valle Leventina]], the valley of the Ticino, for about {{convert|18|km|abbr=on}} to the south portal at [[Bodio]], at an elevation of {{convert|312|m|abbr=on}}, just {{convert|3|km|abbr=on}} before [[Biasca]], where the Brenno converges with the Ticino.<ref group=note>See [[Swisstopo]] topographic maps with catchment areas layer: [https://s.geo.admin.ch/6a25d7c210 map.geo.admin.ch].</ref>

The closest railway stations to the portals are [[Altdorf railway station (Switzerland)|Altdorf]] and [[Biasca railway station|Biasca]]. The first regularly served railway stations on the base line (as of 2016/17) are those of [[Arth-Goldau railway station|Arth-Goldau]] ([[Canton of Schwyz|Schwyz]]), a railway node with links to [[Lucerne railway station|Lucerne]] and [[Zürich Hauptbahnhof|Zürich]], and [[Bellinzona railway station|Bellinzona]] (the "Gate of Ticino"), with links to [[Locarno railway station|Locarno]], [[Cadenazzo–Luino railway|Luino]] and [[Lugano railway station|Lugano]] (via the [[Monte Ceneri Rail Tunnel]]). The journey from Arth-Goldau to Bellinzona takes not more than an hour. The station of Altdorf is planned to be served by 2021. There also have been talks of using that of Biasca. The travel between Altdorf and Biasca would last less than 25 minutes.

{{gallery
|align = center
|title = '''Accesses to the GBT complex'''
|File:GBT north.jpg
|Erstfeld, north portal, {{convert|460|m|abbr=on}} a.s.l.
|File:Amsteg - GBT Access Tunnel (30793268472).jpg
|Amsteg portal (maintenance access), {{convert|507|m|abbr=on}} a.s.l.
|File:Sedrun Portal and Bridge.jpg
|Sedrun portal (maintenance access, bridge over the Anterior Rhine), {{convert|1334|m|abbr=on}}  a.s.l.
|File:AlpTransit NEAT - Baustelle Faido TI (22201920956).jpg
|Faido portal (maintenance access), {{convert|757|m|abbr=on}} a.s.l.
|File:GBT south.jpg
|Biasca, south portal, {{convert|312|m|abbr=on}} a.s.l.
}}

==History==
===Background===
<!-- If you want to add more details not about the Base Tunnel, please go to the Gotthard Pass or Gotthard Railway page-->
{{see also|Gotthard Pass|Gotthard Railway}}
[[File:Nordportal Gotthard-Basistunnel.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Aerial view of the [[Reuss (river)|Uri Reuss Valley]] and the {{convert|3073|m|ft|adj=mid|-high}} [[Bristen]] peak from the north portal. The historic routes on the Gotthard (road and railway) follow the Reuss upwards, which flows west of the Bristen.]]
Since the 13th century, the {{convert|2106|m|ft|adj=mid|-high|abbr=on}} Gotthard Pass has been an important trade route from northern to southern Europe. Control of its access routes led to the birth of the [[Old Swiss Confederacy|Swiss Confederacy]]. The Gotthard Pass is located halfway between [[Lake Lucerne]] and [[Lake Maggiore]]. It is the shortest link between the navigable [[Rhine]] and the [[Po (river)|Po]]. Before modern transport, the traverse of the pass took days, and snow makes it a challenge in winter.<ref>{{cite book |last=Tellier |first=Luc-Normand |date=2009 |title=Urban World History: An Economic and Geographical Perspective |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cXuCjDbxC1YC |location=Quebec City, Canada  |publisher=Presses de l'Université du Québec |page=314 |isbn=9782760522091}}</ref>

Quite late, compared to other current top-importance routes through the Alps (e.g. [[Simplon Pass|Simplon]], [[San Bernardino Pass|San Bernardino]], [[Brenner Pass|Brenner]], [[Mont Cenis]]), namely in 1830, the first Saint-Gotthard Pass road was established after centuries-long usage of a [[bridle path]]. From 1842 onwards, a daily course by the ''Gotthard Post'', a stagecoach drawn by five horses with ten seats, still took about 23 hours from [[Como]] to [[Flüelen]]. It would last until 1921.

{{multiple image| perrow = 2|total_width = 400
|header = Historic routes on the Gotthard
|align = left
|image1=Koller Gotthardpost 1873.jpg|alt1=|caption1='''Pass road'''<br />"The Gotthard Mail Coach" ([[Rudolf Koller]], 1873) on the [[Tremola San Gottardo|Tremola]]
|image2=SBB RABDe 500 Upper Meienreuss Bridge Wassen.jpg|alt2=|caption2='''Old vertex railway''' with SBB tilting intercity train at [[Wassen]]
|footer = 
}}

In 1882, with the inauguration of the [[Gotthard Railway Tunnel]], the travel time between [[Altdorf, Switzerland|Altdorf]] and [[Biasca]] was reduced dramatically to only hours, though often accompanied with overnight stays in large [[Fin de siècle]]-hotels, for example in Biasca. In those days, it was still an adventure and it was only affordable to the rich. Electrification of the railway line in 1922 significantly reduced travel time again. Refilling water boilers of steam locomotives was no longer necessary. There were also the technical advantages of electrical engines and future technical improvements.

From 1924, car transport on trains through the railway tunnel began. The road between [[Göschenen]] and [[Airolo]] over the summit of the pass, comporting notably the [[Schöllenen Gorge|Schöllenen ravine]] and the [[Tremola San Gottardo|Tremola]], had countless hairpin turns and serpentine curves, dropping {{convert|1000|m|abbr=on}} in altitude. It posed a huge challenge for automobiles of those days. From 1953 onwards, the pass road was sequentially improved and expanded at several sections along the Gotthard route, finally ending in 1977 with the opening of an expressway fully circumventing the Tremola. In winter, however, due to the snow, cars could only cross the Gotthard on the train.

Transit time was further dramatically reduced with the opening of the [[Gotthard Road Tunnel]] and the finalization of the northern part of [[A2 motorway (Switzerland)|A2 motorway]] through the ''Urner Reusstal'' (in close proximity to the railway), with many additional tunnels (then leading from Basel to the Gotthard Road Tunnel), in 1980. With the completion in 1986 of the A2 motorway in the [[Valle Leventina]], the main valley leading from Airolo down to [[Bellinzona]], and the surmounting of the [[Monte Ceneri]] between Bellinzona and [[Lugano]] in 1983, finally a continuous motorway was established from the northern border of Switzerland in [[Basel]] to the southern border in [[Chiasso]], or the shortest motorway route from North-German [[Hamburg]] as far as South-Italian [[Sicily]], bringing down the competitiveness of the railway line.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 December 2016 |publisher=[[Radio Télévision Suisse]] |title=Trois heures en 20 ans, le temps gagné pour traverser l'Europe par le Gothard |url=https://www.rts.ch/info/suisse/7708495-trois-heures-en-20-ans-le-temps-gagne-pour-traverser-l-europe-par-le-gothard.html |language=fr |access-date=5 July 2017 }}</ref> Passenger speed was also increased on the railway line with the use of tilting trains, notably the [[RABDe 500|ICN]], although maximum speed remaining far lower than on a modern straight high-speed line. Both modern motorway and historic railway rely on heavy rockfall and avalanche protection equipments and are exposed to harsh weather condition in winter.

After the opening of the auto tunnel, in 1980, traffic increased more than tenfold. The existing tunnel was at its capacity by 2013.<ref name="time">{{cite news |title=Switzerland Celebrates World's Longest Rail Tunnel |url=http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,2026369,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022165153/http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,2026369,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 October 2010 |last=Cendrowicz |first=Leo |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=20 October 2010 |access-date=11 April 2013}}</ref> A second tunnel will be built next to the first, following a national referendum.<ref name="GotthardRef">{{cite web |last=Jorio |first=Luigi |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/divisive-renovation-project_opposing-views-on-doubling-the-gotthard-tunnel/41873860 |title=Opposing views on doubling the Gotthard tunnel – SWI |website=Swissinfo.ch |date=6 January 2016 |access-date=5 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.thelocal.ch/20160229/voters-give-green-light-to-new-gotthard-road-tunnel |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160301102231/http://www.thelocal.ch/20160229/voters-give-green-light-to-new-gotthard-road-tunnel |archive-date = 1 March 2016 |title = Voters give green light to new Gotthard road tunnel |publisher = The Local}}</ref> Construction started in 2021 and is scheduled to finish in 2027.

[[File:NEAT GBT engl crop.png|thumb|Relative location and size of Gotthard Tunnel (1882) and Gotthard Base Tunnel (2016), both shown in yellow. Open-air rail shown in red.]]
As early as 1947, engineer [[Eduard Gruner]] imagined a two-story base tunnel from [[Amsteg]] to Biasca, both rail and road, with a stop at Sedrun, to provide a faster and flatter passage through the [[Swiss Alps]]. Similarly to Gruner's idea, the GBT cuts through the [[Saint-Gotthard Massif|Gotthard Massif]] some {{convert|600|m|ft|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} below the older tunnel. On the historic track only the Gotthard Railway trains up to {{convert|1300|t|e6lbs|abbr=on|lk=on}}<ref name="sbb">{{cite web |url=http://www.lokifahrer.ch/Lokomotiven/Loks-SBB/Re_4-4-II/SBB-Re_4-4-II.htm |title=SBB-CFF-FFS Re 420 locomotive |publisher=Lokifahrer.ch |type=private fan site |language=de |date=23 August 2010 |access-date=18 December 2017}}</ref> when using two locomotives or up to {{convert|1500|t|e6lbs|abbr=on}} with an additional [[bank engine]] at the end of the train are able to pass through the narrow mountain valleys and through [[Spiral (railway)|spiral tunnels]] climbing up to the portals of the old tunnel at a height of {{convert|1151|m|abbr=on}} above sea level. Since the GBT is in full service, standard freight trains of up to {{convert|3600|t|e6lbs|abbr=on}} are able to pass this natural barrier.

Because of ever-increasing international truck traffic, Swiss voters chose a shift in transportation policy in September 1992 by accepting the NRLA proposal. A second law, the ''Alpine Protection Act'' of February 1994,<ref name="price">{{cite journal |title= The Alpine Convention: A Model for Other Mountain Regions? |journal= Mountain Research and Development |volume= 20 |issue=2 |pages = 192–194 |publisher = Centre for Mountain Studies |last=Prince |first=Martin F. |location=[[Perth College UHI|Perth College]], UK |date=1 May 2000 |doi = 10.1659/0276-4741(2000)020[0192:TACAMF]2.0.CO;2 |doi-access = free }}</ref> requires a shift of as much tonnage as possible from truck transport to train transport.

The goal of both the laws is to transport trucks, trailers and freight containers through Switzerland, from [[Basel]] to [[Chiasso]], and beyond by rail to relieve the overused roads, and that of the [[Gotthard Road Tunnel|Gotthard]] in particular, by using [[intermodal freight transport]] and [[rolling highway]]s (where the entire truck is transported). The GBT substantially contributes to the requirements of both laws and enables a direct flat route from the ports of the [[North Sea]] (notably Rotterdam) to those of the [[Mediterranean Sea]] (notably Genoa), via the Rhine corridor.

Although the technical maximum speed is {{convert|250|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} through the GBT, the maximal authorized speed has been reduced to {{convert|230|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} for ecological and economical reasons, while the operating speed of passenger trains is restricted to {{convert|200|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} in order to accommodate the freight traffic, with the possibility to accelerate up to {{convert|230|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} in case of delay.<ref name=axe_NS_SaintGothard/><ref name=SBBoperation/><ref name=giruno/> At opening the GBT reduced travel times for trans-Alpine train journeys by about 40 minutes,<!--38 minutes in 2017--> and by one hour when the adjacent [[Zimmerberg Base Tunnel|Zimmerberg]] and [[Ceneri Base Tunnel]]s were completed. This is viewed as a revolution, especially in the isolated region of Ticino, which is separated from the rest of the country by the Alps and the Gotthard. The two stations of [[Bellinzona railway station|Bellinzona]] and [[Lugano railway station|Lugano]] (respectively named "Gate of Ticino" and "Terrace of Ticino") were entirely renovated for the opening of the GBT, among other improvements.{{CN|date=July 2023}}

As of 2016, the Gotthard Base Tunnel is the [[List of longest tunnels|longest railway tunnel in the world]]. It is the third Swiss tunnel to bear this title, after the [[Gotthard Tunnel]] ({{convert|15|km|disp=or|abbr=on}}, 1882) and the [[Simplon Tunnel]] ({{convert|19.8|km|disp=or|abbr=on}}, 1905).<ref>Bernard Wuthrich, "Le Romand du Gothard", ''[[Le Temps]]'', Monday 1 June 2015, page 20.</ref> It is the third tunnel built under the Gotthard, after the Gotthard Tunnel and the Gotthard Road Tunnel.

===Construction===
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible collapsed" style="float:right; margin:0 0 1.5em 1.5em; width:271px"
|+ 2004–2011 tunnel excavation<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/status-of-the-work/status-of-the-work.html |title=Status of the work |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |date=1 November 2011 |access-date=11 November 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/status-of-the-work/raw-construction/gotthard-base-tunnel.html |title=Overview Gotthard Base Tunnel |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |date=1 January 2012 |access-date=5 February 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|-
!width=50 rowspan=2| Year
!width=50 rowspan=2| Month
!colspan=3| Total excavated
|-
! (kilometres)
! (miles)
! Of planned (%)
|-
| 2004 || July
| {{convert|52.34|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 34.1
|-
| 2005 || June
| {{convert|74.59|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 48.6
|-
| 2006 || June
| {{convert|94.10|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 61.3
|-
| 2007 || June
| {{convert|103.67|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 67.6
|-
|rowspan="5"| 2008 || March
| {{convert|108.02|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 70.4
|-
| April
| {{convert|109.00|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 71.0
|-
| July
| {{convert|113.20|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 73.8
|-
| August
| {{convert|115.20|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 75.1
|-
| October
| {{convert|118.40|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 77.2
|-
|rowspan="10"| 2009 || January
| {{convert|124.00|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 81.6
|-
| March
| {{convert|127.30|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 83.9
|-
| May
| {{convert|131.00|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 86.3
|-
| June
| {{convert|133.00|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 87.6
|-
| July
| {{convert|134.80|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 87.9
|-
| August
| {{convert|136.60|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 90.0
|-
| September
| {{convert|137.30|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 90.4
|-
| October
| {{convert|138.60|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 91.3
|-
| November
| {{convert|140.00|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 92.2
|-
| December
| {{convert|141.38|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 93.0
|-
|rowspan="12"| 2010 || January
| {{convert|141.82|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 93.4
|-
| February
| {{convert|142.48|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 93.8
|-
| March
| {{convert|143.80|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 94.7
|-
| April
| {{convert|144.80|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 95.4
|-
| May
| {{convert|145.40|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 95.8
|-
| June
| {{convert|146.10|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 96.2
|-
| July
| {{convert|146.60|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 96.6
|-
| August
| {{convert|147.33|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 97.0
|-
| September
| {{convert|147.98|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 97.5
|-
| October
| {{convert|149.10|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 98.2
|-
| November
| {{convert|149.90|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 98.7
|-
| December
| {{convert|150.40|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 99.0
|-
|rowspan="7"| 2011 || January
| {{convert|150.49|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 99.1
|-
| February
| {{convert|150.77|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 99.3
|-
| March
| {{convert|151.26|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 99.6
|-
| April
| {{convert|151.70|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 99.91
|-
| May
| {{convert|151.75|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 99.94
|-
| June
| {{convert|151.82|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 99.99
|-
| July
| {{convert|151.82|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
|100<ref name="driving">{{cite web |url=http://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/media/press-releases/gotthard-basistunnel-der-vortrieb-ist-beendet-729.html?cHash=c5ea7c0f8d5607531287e6d859a4b425 |title=Gotthard Base Tunnel: Driving complete |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |date=23 March 2011 |access-date=16 November 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|}

AlpTransit Gotthard AG was responsible for construction. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of the [[Swiss Federal Railways|Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS)]].

To cut construction time in half, four access tunnels were built so that construction could start at four different sites simultaneously: Erstfeld, Amsteg, Sedrun, and Faido. A fifth&nbsp;at Bodio&nbsp;was added later. The two tunnels are joined approximately every {{convert|325|m|ft|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} by connecting galleries. Trains can move between the tunnels in the two multifunction stations at [[Sedrun]] and [[Faido]]. These stations house ventilation equipment and technical infrastructure and serve as emergency stops and evacuation routes.<ref name="malins"/>

Access to the Sedrun station site is by a level access tunnel {{convert|1|km|mi|sigfig=4|1|abbr=on}} long from the valley floor near Sedrun. At the end of the access tunnel, two vertical shafts lead {{convert|800|m|ft|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} down to the base tunnel level. A proposal to construct a functioning railway station, called ''[[Porta Alpina]]'' (from [[Romansh language|Romansh]], "Alpine Gate"), at this site was evaluated, but the project was put on hold in 2007 and definitively cancelled by the federal authorities in 2012 as uneconomical.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bundesrat bestätigt vorläufigen Verzicht auf die Porta Alpina |url=https://www.news.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=44585 |date=16 May 2012 |publisher = Swiss federal authorities |type = Press release |access-date=31 December 2014}}</ref>

The final breakthrough in the east tube occurred on 15 October 2010 at 14:17 +02:00.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/media/press-releases/detail/article/final-breakthrough-of-the-longest-railway-tunnel-in-the-world/ |title=Final breakthrough of the longest railway tunnel in the world |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |date=15 October 2010 |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |access-date=5 June 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The final breakthrough in the west tube occurred on 23 March 2011 at 12:20.<ref name="bedding">{{cite news |title=Switzerland's Gotthard Base train tunnel is redefining Europe |last=Bedding |first=James |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/journeysbyrail/9880313/Switzerlands-Gotthard-Base-train-tunnel-is-redefining-Europe.html |date=19 February 2013 |work=[[The Telegraph (UK)|The Telegraph]] |access-date=11 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/media/press-releases/detail/article/gotthard-base-tunnel-driving-complete/ |title=Gotthard Base Tunnel: Driving complete |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |date=23 March 2011 |access-date=1 June 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

On 30 August 2013, the tunnel was entirely traversed for the first time from Bodio to Erstfeld in six hours, by diesel train, buses and by foot.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.corridor-rhine-alpine.eu/news-detail/switzerland-first-transit-in-the-gotthard-base-tunnel/cmd/clear.html |title=Switzerland: First transit in the Gotthard Base Tunnel |website=corridor-rhine-alpine.eu |access-date=7 December 2016 }}</ref>

On 16 December 2013, the operational test phase started on a {{convert|13|km|mi|adj=on}} stretch in the southern section of the west tube between Faido and Bodio. Its purpose was to test the infrastructure and any ancillary systems.<ref name="globalrailnews 2">{{cite news |title=Test trains running on Gotthard Base Tunnel |url=http://www.globalrailnews.com/2013/12/17/test-trains-running-on-gotthard-base-tunnel/ |work=Global Rail News |date=17 December 2013 |access-date=21 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203022817/http://www.globalrailnews.com/2013/12/17/test-trains-running-on-gotthard-base-tunnel/ |archive-date=3 February 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 31 October 2014, the railway track installation was completed. A gold [[Sleeper (tie)|sleeper]] on the very last part of the track was installed during the event to mark this milestone of progress.<ref name=History>{{cite web |url=http://www.alpiq.com/news-stories/stories/stories.jsp?story=tcm:95-118469&tag=Integrated+project+management&taxid=8049&schema=52639 |title=The construction of the century takes shape |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |access-date=20 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601004609/http://www.alpiq.com/news-stories/stories/stories.jsp?story=tcm:95-118469&tag=Integrated+project+management&taxid=8049&schema=52639 |archive-date=1 June 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.euronews.com/2014/10/31/celebrations-as-last-piece-of-track-is-laid-in-record-breaking-gotthard-rail-/ |title=Celebrations as last piece of track is laid in record-breaking Gotthard rail tunnel &#124; euronews, world news |website=Euronews.com |date=31 October 2014 |access-date=25 January 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064333/http://www.euronews.com/2014/10/31/celebrations-as-last-piece-of-track-is-laid-in-record-breaking-gotthard-rail-/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 1 October 2015, following permission by the Federal Office of Transport, the first tests on the entire length of the GBT were performed, with steadily increasing speed. On 8 November, a train reached the top speed of {{cvt|275|km/h}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.luzernerzeitung.ch/nachrichten/schweiz/Mit-275-Sachen-durch-den-Gotthard-Basistunnel;art66368,629964 |title=Mit 275 Sachen durch den Gotthard-Basistunnel |publisher=[[Neue Luzerner Zeitung]] |date=19 November 2015 |website=[[Luzerner Zeitung]] |access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Nrla scheme.png|thumb|600px|center|A diagram showing the mountains above the Gotthard Base Tunnel, and the locations and directions the tunnel was excavated from.]]

====Allocation of work====
[[File:Gotthard Basistunnel Portal Nord 2009-06-14.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the Erstfeld area (north portal) in 2009]]
The contracts were awarded in sections:
* [[Erstfeld]] (the {{convert|7.7|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} section from Erstfeld to [[Amsteg]]), with two [[tunnel boring machine]]s (TBM) boring the two tubes. The break-through of the east tube between Erstfeld and Amsteg took place on 15 June 2009. The portal area was [[Cut-and-cover|surface-mined]].
* Amsteg (the {{convert|11.3|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} section from Amsteg to north of [[Sedrun]]), ARGE AGN ([[Strabag]] and Züblin Murer) received the contract for work in this sector.<ref name="agn">{{cite web |url= http://www.agn-amsteg.ch/baulos-amsteg/projektbeschrieb.html |title= Projektbeschrieb |publisher= AGN Strabag |date= 24 September 2010 |access-date= 19 October 2010 |language= de |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141008175608/http://www.agn-amsteg.ch/baulos-amsteg/projektbeschrieb.html |archive-date= 8 October 2014 |url-status= dead }}</ref> On 9 December 2009, the Amsteg section was officially delivered to the owner for fitting-out,<ref name="neat.ch">{{cite web |url=http://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/media/press-releases/tunnelroehren-des-abschnitts-amsteg-im-rohbau-uebergeben-283.html?cHash=08041d305a4bf933d5913043b9c1cee0 |title=Structurally complete tunnels of the Amsteg section handed over |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |date=10 December 2009 |access-date=12 November 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> with civil engineering, construction, concrete and lining work completed in early 2010.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=http://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/media/press-releases/gotthard-vor-hauptdurchschlag-hauptvortrieb-am-ceneri-288.html?cHash=5bf551d1688835a7142c5aa6f1e8e37c |title=Gotthard approaches final breakthrough, Ceneri starts main drive |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |date=31 March 2010 |access-date=12 November 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* Sedrun (the {{convert|8.6|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} East tube and {{convert|8.7|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} West tube in the section immediately north and south of Sedrun), along with work performed by Transco ([[Bilfinger SE]], [[Implenia]], [[Frutiger (company)|Frutiger]] and [[Impresa Pizzarotti]]).<ref name="transco">{{cite web|url=http://www.transco-sedrun.ch/1_DEU_HTML.htm |title=Transco Sedrun |publisher=Transco |language=de |access-date=15 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529224525/http://www.transco-sedrun.ch/1_DEU_HTML.htm |archive-date=29 May 2010 }}</ref><ref name="transconce">{{cite magazine | url = http://www.nce.co.uk/features/geotechnical/gotthard-a-titanic-tunnel/5217000.article | title = Gotthard: A titanic tunnel | magazine = New Civil Engineer | publisher = EMAP Publishing Limited | date = 29 April 2010 | first = Martina | last = Booth | access-date = 15 July 2015}}</ref> The final breakthrough in the west tube occurred in March 2011.<ref name="serunfinal">{{cite web |url=http://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/media/press-releases/hauptdurchschlag-im-laengsten-eisenbahntunnel-der-welt-303.html?cHash=b99fdea861735d62090812c2c22a7185 |title=Final breakthrough of the longest railway tunnel in the world |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |date=15 October 2011 |access-date=12 November 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The northbound tubes from Amsteg to the Sedrun multifunction station (north) were handed over to the railway systems contractor Transtec Gotthard on 15 September 2011, the date specified in the construction schedule.<ref name="TranstecGotthard">{{cite web |url=http://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/media/press-releases/der-einbau-der-bahntechnik-im-norden-hat-begonnen-736.html?cHash=f6c5d662a753c9bf3ad0c0be1f7ea816 |title=Installation of the railway systems in the north has begun |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |date=2 September 2011 |access-date=12 November 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* [[Faido]] ({{convert|13.4|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} East tube and {{convert|13.6|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} West tube in the section from south of Sedrun to Faido), with Consorzio TAT (Alpine Mayreder Bau, CSC Impresa costruzioni, [[Hochtief]] and [[Implenia]] and [[Impregilo]]).<ref name="TAT">{{cite web|url=http://www.tat-ti.ch/ |title=St. Barbara Celebration 2012 |publisher=Consorzio TAT |language=de |access-date=11 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913020852/http://www.tat-ti.ch/ |archive-date=13 September 2012}}</ref>
* [[Bodio]] ({{convert|15.9|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} East tube and {{convert|15.6|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} West tube in the section from Faido to Bodio), with work performed by Consorzio TAT (Alpine Mayreder Bau, CSC Impresa costruzioni, Hochtief, Implenia and Impregilo).<ref name="TAT" /> Civil engineering construction, concrete and lining works were completed in early 2010.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

====Deaths during construction====
Nine workers died during construction; one in the Amsteg section, two in the Sedrun section, and three each in the southernmost Faido and Bodio sections.<ref name=Memorial>{{cite news |url=https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/media/press-releases/detail/article/memorial-ceremony-for-deceased-tunnel-workers/ |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |title=Memorial ceremony for deceased tunnel workers |date=31 May 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
{|class=wikitable
! Date !! Nationality !! Details <!-- !! Location -->
|-
| 8 June 2000 || German || Hit by a boring bar that fell {{convert|700|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Andreas Reichhardt, † 8. Juni 2000 |publisher=[[Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen|SRF]] |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/andreas-reichhardt-8-juni-2000 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|-
| 12 March 2002 || South African || Buried by excavation material.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Jacques Du Plooy, † 12. März 2002 |publisher=SRF |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/jacques-du-plooy-12-maerz-2002 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|-
| 3 April 2003 || German || Hit by a rock.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Heiko Bujack, † 3. April 2003 |publisher=SRF |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/heiko-bujack-3-april-2003 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|-
| 11 September 2003 || Austrian || Crushed by a toppling cable drum.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Albert Ginzinger, † 11. September 2003 |publisher=SRF |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/albert-ginzinger-11-september-2003 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Matthias Chapman |title=Die Toten vom Gotthard |newspaper=[[Tages-Anzeiger]] |url=http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/schweiz/standard/Die-Toten-vom-Gotthard/story/14276219 |date=12 October 2010 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|-
| 21 January 2005 || Italian (1)<br />Italian (1) || Hit in a mine train collision.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Salvatore di Benedetto, † 21. Januar 2005 |publisher=SRF |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/salvatore-di-benedetto-21-januar-2005 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Andrea Astorino, † 21. January 2005  |publisher=SRF |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/andrea-astorino-21-januar-2005 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|-
| 23 November 2006 || German || Crushed by a mine train.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Thorsten Elsemann, † 23. November 2006 |publisher=SRF |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/thorsten-elsemann-23-november-2006 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|-
| 24 June 2010 || German || Catapulted from an inspection train.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Hans Gammel, † 24. Juni 2010 |publisher=SRF |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/hans-gammel-24-juni-2010 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|-
| 16 July 2012 || Italian || Fell from a scaffold.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Giuseppe Liuzzo, † 16. Juni 2012  |publisher=SRF |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/guiseppe-liuzzo-16-juni-2012 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|}

===Inauguration and commissioning===
[[File:Gotthard 2016.jpg|thumb|Inauguration days, where the public was allowed to experience high-speed travel below the Alps for the first time, and to move quickly between the exhibitions held in Erstfeld and Bodio.]]
In 2016, several events, including festivities and special exhibitions, were held around the Gotthard, culminating in the inaugurations in early June, dubbed ''Gottardo 2016''. Public institutions joined the celebrations: [[Swiss Post]] issued a special [[Postage stamp|stamp]] commemorating the Gotthard Base Tunnel,<ref>{{cite web |lang = fr |url = https://www.post.ch/fr/notre-profil/entreprise/medias/communiques-de-presse/2016/timbre-poste-special-avec-de-la-pierre-du-gothard |title = Timbre-poste spécial avec de la pierre du Gothard |type = press release |publisher = [[Swiss Post]] |date = 11 May 2016 |access-date = 7 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |lang = fr |first = Sylvain |last = Besson |url = https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/2016/05/30/gothard-ame-pierre-suisse |title = Gothard, l'âme de pierre de la Suisse |publisher = [[Le temps]] |date = 30 May 2016 |access-date = 7 September 2016 |archive-date = 12 December 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161212122351/https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/2016/05/30/gothard-ame-pierre-suisse |url-status = dead }}</ref> and [[Swissmint]] issued gold and silver coins dedicated to the opening.

On 31 May 2016, a day before the inauguration, the nine people who died during construction were commemorated in a ceremony at the north portal in [[Erstfeld]] that was led by a Catholic [[vicar general]], a vicar of the [[Evangelical-Reformed Church of Uri]], a Jewish rabbi, and a Muslim imam. A bronze memorial plaque with their names — four coming from Germany, three from Italy, and one from each of South Africa and Austria – was unveiled by AlpTransit Gotthard AG CEO Renzo Simoni.<ref name=Memorial/> A Catholic shrine to [[Saint Barbara]], the patron of miners, stands inside the tunnel as a memorial.<ref name=Ceremony/>

[[File:SBB - Gotthard Base Tunnel (30346410681).jpg|thumb|left|Sedrun multifunction station viewed from the control cab of a Gottardino train.]]
The tunnel was officially inaugurated on 1 June 2016.<ref name=Ceremony>{{cite news |title=World's Longest Rail Tunnel Opens in Switzerland |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/as-it-happens_switzerland-celebrates-the-gotthard-tunnel/42194112 |date=1 June 2016 |work=[[Swissinfo]] |location=Bern, Switzerland |access-date=3 June 2016}}</ref> At the northern entrance in Erstfeld, President of the Confederation [[Johann Schneider-Ammann]] spoke of a "giant step for Switzerland but equally for our neighbours and the rest of the continent", while a live relay carried a speech given by Transport Minister [[Doris Leuthard]] at the southern entrance in [[Bodio]]. The first journey carried hundreds of Swiss citizens who had won tickets in a draw, while the assembled guests in Erstfeld, including the Federal Council in corpore, heads of state and government from neighbouring countries and transport ministers from European countries, attended the opening show ''Sacre del Gottardo'' by [[Volker Hesse]] featuring 600 dancers, acrobats, singers and musicians celebrating Alpine culture and [[Teufelsbrücke|myths around the Gotthard]].<ref name=Ceremony/> On the following weekend, popular festivities and special exhibitions, attended by more than 100,000 visitors, were held.

From 2 August to 27 November 2016, the [[Swiss Federal Railways]] ran a special train service through the tunnel called "Gottardino" which was open to the public. It was a once-daily service from [[Flüelen railway station]] to [[Biasca railway station]] and in reverse. The trains made a stop inside the tunnel, to allow passengers to visit an exhibition inside the underground multifunction station in [[Sedrun]] which would normally be used in emergency only.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Gottardino special train |url=http://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/holidays--short-breaks-in-switzerland/regionen/gotthard/gottardino-special-train.html |publisher=Swiss Federal Railways |access-date=6 November 2016 |archive-date=6 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106130606/http://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/holidays--short-breaks-in-switzerland/regionen/gotthard/gottardino-special-train.html}}</ref>

===Regular services===
{{Listen
| filename = Gotthard Base Tunnel.ogg
| title    = Announcement before entering the GBT
| plain    = no
| style    = float:right
}}
During 2016, the GBT was tested extensively<ref name="Prepares"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Longest Rail Tunnel Clears Major Safety Hurdle |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/gotthard-base-tunnel-_longest-rail-tunnel-clears-major-safety-hurdle-/42591598 |date=15 November 2016 |website=[[Swissinfo]] |access-date=27 December 2016}}</ref> before its integration into the regular schedule on 11 December.<ref>{{cite web |title=First Full Day of Service for Gotthard Rail Tunnel |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/hurtling-into-history_first-full-day-of-service-for-gotthard-rail-tunnel/42753636 |date=11 December 2016 |website=[[Swissinfo]] |access-date=27 December 2016}}</ref> On 5 December, the [[Swiss Federal Railways]] were granted permission from the Federal Transport Office to use the new base line. While the base tunnel is used for InterCity trains ([[SBB-CFF-FFS RABDe 500|ICN]]) and EuroCity trains ([[EuroCity|EC]]), the vertex line remains in use for regional trains.<ref name="Prepares">{{cite web |url=http://www.thelocal.ch/20161206/worlds-longest-tunnel-prepares-for-first-paying-passengers |title=World's longest tunnel prepares for first scheduled services |publisher=[[The Local]] |date=6 December 2016 |website=thelocal.ch |access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref> Since 2019, the Gotthard axis is served by the [[Stadler EC250]] (Giruno) high-speed train and future flagship of the [[Swiss Federal Railways|SBB]] fleet.

From the Amsteg portal, guided tours are organised inside the Gotthard Base Tunnel complex. A window allows visitors to watch the trains running in the tunnel.

===2023 derailment and closure===
On 10 August 2023, a freight train derailed while traveling through the tunnel, causing extensive damage to the tunnel infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 August 2023 |title=Un train de marchandises déraille dans le tunnel de base du Gothard - Le Temps |language=fr |url=https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/un-train-de-marchandises-deraille-dans-le-tunnel-de-base-du-gothard |access-date=17 August 2023 |issn=1423-3967}}</ref> The incident occurred near the multi-functional station of Faido, in the canton of Ticino. No one was injured, and no hazardous materials were released.
The tunnel was closed to both passenger and freight traffic for repairs. It returned to normal service on 2 September 2024.

==Politics==
[[File:Porta Alpina.jpg|thumb|This access at Sedrun was to have served the [[Porta Alpina]] station in the middle of the tunnel. The project was abandoned for cost reasons.]]
The realization of the GBT, as the centrepiece of the [[NRLA]], is also a prototypical example of [[direct democracy]] in Switzerland. In order to accomplish this mega-project the [[Politics of Switzerland|political institutions]] also had to overcome many parliamentary sessions and several major [[voting in Switzerland|popular votes]], including the following:<ref name=NRLAPolitics>{{cite web |url=https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/overview/politics/ |title=Politics |publisher=Swiss Federal Archives SFA, Swiss Federal Office of Transport FOT, Swiss Confederation |location=Bern, Switzerland |date=2016 |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref>

* 27 September 1992, '''NRLA proposal''' ([[mandatory referendum]]): The final proposal by the [[Swiss Federal Council|Federal Council]] was accepted by 63.6% yes votes (declined by 1+2/2 cantons, turnout 45.9%)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/overview/politics/events/ereignis/yes-to-the-nrla//?no_cache=1 |title=Yes to the NRLA |publisher=Swiss Federal Archives SFA, Swiss Federal Office of Transport FOT, Swiss Confederation |location=Bern, Switzerland |date=1 December 1992 |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.admin.ch/ch/d/pore/rf/cr/1991/19910236.html |title=Bundesbeschluss über den Bau der schweizerischen Eisenbahn-Alpentransversale (Alpentransit-Beschluss) – Chronologie |publisher=Swiss Federal Chancellery, Swiss Federal Council, Swiss Confederation |location=Bern, Switzerland |date=14 June 2016 |language=de, fr, it |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref>
* 20 February 1994, '''[[Alps Initiative]]''' ([[Popular initiative (Switzerland)|federal popular initiative]]): Initiated by a few private people with the goal to protect the Alpine environment from the negative impact of traffic was accepted<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/explore-600-national-votes_how-direct-democracy-has-grown-over-the-decades/41481992 |title=How direct democracy has grown over the decades |author=Duc-Quang Nguyen |work=swissinfo.ch – a branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation [[SRG SSR]] |series=Explore 600 national votes |date=6 June 2016 |publisher=Swiss Broadcasting Corporation [[SRG SSR]] |location=Bern, Switzerland |access-date=24 July 2016}}</ref> by 51.9% yes votes (declined by 7 cantons, turnout 41%).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/overview/politics/events/ereignis/yes-to-the-alps-initiative//?no_cache=1 |title=Yes to the Alps Initiative |publisher=Swiss Federal Archives SFA, Swiss Federal Office of Transport FOT, Swiss Confederation |location=Bern, Switzerland |date=2016 |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref><ref name=AI>{{cite web |url=https://www.admin.ch/ch/d/pore/vi/vis204.html |title=Volksinitiative 'zum Schutze des Alpengebietes vor dem Transitverkehr' |publisher=Swiss Federal Chancellery, Swiss Federal Council, Swiss Confederation |location=Bern, Switzerland |date=14 June 2016 |language=de, fr, it |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref> The initiative was accepted despite the recommendation by the Federal Council from 12 February 1992 to decline the initiative without any counterproposal,<ref name=AI/><ref>{{cite periodical |url=http://www.amtsdruckschriften.bar.admin.ch/viewOrigDoc.do?id=10052178 |title=Botschaft über die Volksinitiative "zum Schutze des Alpengebietes vor dem Transitverkehr" vom 12. Februar 1992 |id=BBI 1992 II 788 |periodical=Bundesblatt 1992 |volume=II |issue=13 |publisher=The Swiss Federal Council |location=Bern, Switzerland |date=12 February 1992 |format=PDF |language=de, fr, it |access-date=27 July 2016}}</ref> and despite the parliamentary  recommendation (both chambers) from 18 June 1993 to decline the initiative.<ref name=AI/><ref>{{cite periodical |url=https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/federal-gazette/1993/index_26.html |title=Bundesbeschluss über die Volksinitiative "zum Schutze des Alpengebietes vor dem Transitverkehr" vom 18. Juni 1993 |id=BBI 1993 II 888 |periodical=Bundesblatt 1993 |volume=II |issue=26 |publisher=The Swiss Federal Council |location=Bern, Switzerland |date=18 June 1993 |format=PDF |language=de, fr, it |access-date=27 July 2016}}</ref>
* 29 November 1998, '''Public Transport Funding''' ([[mandatory referendum]]): A total budget of CHF 30&nbsp;billion for several public transport projects was accepted by 63.5% yes votes (declined by 1+3/2 cantons, turnout 38.3%); "the NRLA is to receive CHF 13.6&nbsp;billion"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/overview/politics/events/ereignis/yes-to-public-transport-funding//?no_cache=1 |title=Yes to public transport funding |publisher=Swiss Federal Archives SFA, Swiss Federal Office of Transport FOT, Swiss Confederation |location=Bern, Switzerland |date=2016 |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.admin.ch/ch/d/pore/rf/cr/1998/19980163.html |title=Bundesbeschluss über Bau und Finanzierung von Infrastrukturvorhaben des öffentlichen Verkehrs – Chronologie |publisher=Swiss Federal Chancellery, Swiss Federal Council, Swiss Confederation |location=Bern, Switzerland |date=29 November 1998 |language=de, fr, it |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref>
* 21 May 2000, '''Bilateral EU Agreements&nbsp;/ 40-tonne Trucks&nbsp;/ Heavy Traffic Fee''' ([[optional referendum]]): As part of a whole package of several bilateral agreements with the EU the Swiss also accepted by 67.2% yes votes (declined by 2 cantons, turnout 48.3%) the shift of an upper limit for trucks from {{convert|28|t|e3lbs|abbr=off}} to {{convert|40|t|e3lbs|abbr=off}}, but at the same time the EU agreed to a new heavy-traffic fee, which would also be used to finance the NRLA<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/overview/politics/events/ereignis/the-end-of-the-28-tonne-limit//?no_cache=1 |title=The end of the 28-tonne limit |publisher=Swiss Federal Archives SFA, Swiss Federal Office of Transport FOT, Swiss Confederation |location=Bern, Switzerland |date=2016 |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.admin.ch/ch/d/pore/rf/cr/1999/19994592.html |title=Bundesbeschluss über die Genehmigung der sektoriellen Abkommen zwischen der Schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft einerseits und der Europäischen Gemeinschaft sowie gegebenenfalls ihrer Mitgliedstaaten oder der Europäischen Atomgemeinschaft andererseits – Chronologie |publisher=Swiss Federal Chancellery, Swiss Federal Council, Swiss Confederation |location=Bern, Switzerland |date=1 July 2002 |language=de, fr, it |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref>
* 17 December 2003, '''Ceneri Base Tunnel''' (parliamentary session): The controversial funding of the [[Ceneri Base Tunnel]] was finally passed by parliamentary approval only; the possibility for an optional referendum was not raised by any political groups, nor by the public. The then-in-charge transport minister, Federal Councilor [[Moritz Leuenberger]], was quoted as saying "This is the only way to make the railway <nowiki>[the Gotthard axis]</nowiki> a flat line between Basel and Chiasso."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/overview/politics/events/ereignis/yes-to-the-ceneri-base-tunnel//?no_cache=1 |title=Yes to the Ceneri Base Tunnel |publisher=Swiss Federal Archives SFA, Swiss Federal Office of Transport FOT, Swiss Confederation |location=Bern, Switzerland |date=2016 |quote=Federal Councilor Moritz Leuenberger: «This is the only way to make the railway a flat line between Basel and Chiasso.» |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref>

==Figures==
{{Gotthard Base Tunnel}}
*'''Diameter of each of the single-track tubes:''' {{convert|8.83|-|9.58|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=Projectdata/>
*'''Distance between cross passage tubes:''' ca. {{convert|325|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=Projectdata/>
*'''Numbers of cross passage tubes:''' 178<ref name=Projectdata/><ref name=SBBoperation/>
*'''Maximum rock overlay:''' {{convert|2450|m|abbr=on}} (at [[Piz Vatgira]])<ref name=Projectdata/>
*'''Start of construction:''' 1993 (sounding drills), 1996 (preparations), 4 November 1999 (official start, first blasting), 2003 (mechanical excavation)
*'''Breakthrough:''' 15 October 2010 (Eastern tube), 23 March 2011 (Western tube)<ref name=Projectdata/>
*'''Commissioning:''' May 2016
*'''Inauguration/opening:''' 1 June 2016
*'''Start of daily passenger service:''' 11 December 2016 (see [[public transport timetable#Switzerland]])<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://blog.sbb.ch/gotthard-bergstrecke/2016/07/26/ |title=Was passiert eigentlich mit der Gotthard-Bergstrecke? &#124; SBB Stories |access-date=5 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212124121/http://blog.sbb.ch/gotthard-bergstrecke/2016/07/26/ |archive-date=12 December 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*'''Total cost:''' [[Swiss franc|CHF]] 9.560&nbsp;billion<ref name=NeatKosten/> ({{as of|2015|12|lc=on}})
*'''Travel time:''' Passenger trains – 20 minutes<ref name=SBBoperation/>
*'''Amount of excavated rock:''' {{convert|28200000|t|ST LT|abbr=on|lk=on}},<ref name=Projectdata/><ref name="spoil">{{cite web |url=http://www.alptransit-portal.ch/fileadmin/dateien/medien/artikel/2011.03.02_Samoter_2011_Verona_Materialbewirtschaftung_GBT.pdf |title=Experience in Spoil Management on Conclusion of Excavations for the Gottard Base Tunnel |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |date=2 March 2011 |access-date=15 November 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> {{convert|13300000|m3|cuyd|abbr=on|disp=or}}, the equivalent of 5 Giza pyramids
*'''Number of [[Tunnel boring machine|tunnel boring machines (TBM)]]:''' Four [[Herrenknecht]] Gripper TBMs. Machine numbers S-210 and S-211 operated northbound from Bodio to Faido and Sedrun and were nicknamed ''Sissi'' and ''Heidi'' respectively; Machines S-229 and S-230 operated southbound from Erstfeld to Sedrun and were known as ''Gabi I'' and ''Gabi II''.
**'''Total length:''' {{convert|440|m|ft|abbr=on}} (including back-up equipment)
**'''Total weight:''' {{convert|3000|t|ST LT|abbr=on}}
**'''Power:''' 5 [[megawatt|MW]]
**'''Max. excavation daily:''' {{convert|25|-|30|m|ft|abbr=on}} (in excellent rock conditions)
**'''Total excavation length by TBM:''' about {{convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on}} (for each tube)
**'''Manufacturer:''' [[Herrenknecht]], [[Schwanau, Baden-Württemberg|Schwanau]], Germany

<gallery mode="packed">
File:AlpTransit NEAT - Baustelle Erstfeld UR (22012331549).jpg|Integration of the portals into the landscape
File:AlpTransit NEAT - Gleisarbeiten - Baustelle Erstfeld UR (22010895298).jpg|The new {{convert|4|km||adj=mid|-long}} open-air section from Rynächt to the north portal
File:AlpTransit NEAT - Baustelle Biasca TI (22066173240).jpg|Start of the new {{convert|7|km||adj=mid|-long}} open-air section from Giustizia to the south portal
File:Periscopio Pollegio 140515.jpg|The [[Pollegio]] Control Centre (near the south portal) with one of the four used [[tunnel boring machine|TBM]] cutter heads on display
</gallery>

==Operation==
===Reduced travel times===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Reduced travel times by passenger trains
|-
! rowspan=3 | !! colspan=3 | Shortest journey time by train !! rowspan=3 | Time saved
|-
! colspan=2 | vertex route !! through GBT

|-

! 2006 !! 2016 !! 2022

|-
| align=left| Milano – Zürich || 4:26 ([[EuroCity|EC]]) / 3:41 ([[Cisalpino|CIS]])<ref name=600-2006>{{cite web |title=600 – 2006 |url=https://www.fahrplanfelder.ch/fileadmin/fap_pdf_fields/2006/600.pdf |website=www.fahrplanfelder.ch |publisher=Swiss Federal Office of Transport |location=Berne, Switzerland |date=November 2005 |type=official document |quote=EC170, CIS156  |pages=740, 741 |access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref>  || 4:03 ([[EuroCity|EC]])<ref name=600-2016>{{cite web |title=600 – 2016 |url=https://www.fahrplanfelder.ch/fileadmin/fap_pdf_fields/2016/600.pdf |website=www.fahrplanfelder.ch |publisher=Swiss Federal Office of Transport |location=Berne, Switzerland |date=November 2015 |type=official document |quote=EC12, ICN866 |pages=842, 841 |access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref> || 3:17 ([[EuroCity|EC]])<ref name=600-2022>{{cite web |title=600 – 2022 |url=https://www.fahrplanfelder.ch/fileadmin/fap_pdf_fields/2022/600.pdf |website=www.fahrplanfelder.ch |publisher=Swiss Federal Office of Transport |location=Berne, Switzerland |date=16 November 2021 |type=official document |quote=EC312, IC2 866 |page=4 |access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref> || 1:09 / :24 / :46
|-
| align=left| Lugano – Zürich || 2:56 ([[EuroCity|EC]]/[[InterCity (Switzerland)|IC]]) / 2:42 ([[Cisalpino|CIS]])<ref name=600-2006/> || 2:41 ([[SBB RABDe 500|ICN]])<ref name=600-2016/> || 1:53 ([[InterCity (Switzerland)|IC2/IC21]])<ref name=600-2022/> || 1:03 / :49 / :48
|}

===Safety===
{{expand section|date=October 2018}}
The safety requirements on the rolling stock are similar to those of other long Swiss tunnels, including the ability for the [[Emergency brake (train)|emergency brake]] to be overridden.
 
One simulation indicates that ground surface displacements are primarily caused by water drainage induced by the tunnel and the consolidation of surrounding rock masses in the deep subsurface. Additionally, its findings suggest that the construction of the tunnel could lead to fault shearing due to the diffusion of pressure from drainage and resulting poroelastic stresses.<ref name="Zhao-2023">{{cite journal |last1=Zhao |first1=Chenxi |last2=Lei |first2=Qinghua |last3=Zhang |first3=Zixin |last4=Loew |first4=Simon |title=Causal mechanism of Gotthard Base Tunnel-induced ground deformation: Insights from 3D fully-coupled hydro-mechanical simulation and comparison to field measurements |journal=International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences |date=October 2023 |volume=170 |pages=105515 |doi=10.1016/j.ijrmms.2023.105515|hdl=20.500.11850/622062 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

== 2023 freight train derailment ==
On 10 August 2023, a freight train heading north derailed inside the tunnel, damaging around 8km of tracks, 20,000 concrete sleepers, and a lane change gate that separates the tunnel's two tubes.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Bahnverkehr im Gotthard-Basistunnel unterbrochen |url=https://news.sbb.ch/medien/artikel/124073/bahnverkehr-im-gotthard-basistunnel-unterbrochen |access-date=11 August 2023 |website=SBB News |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 August 2023 |title=Entgleisung im Gotthard - SBB: «Es ist das eingetreten, was wir nie gehofft haben» |url=https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/entgleisung-im-gotthard-sbb-es-ist-das-eingetreten-was-wir-nie-gehofft-haben |access-date=11 August 2023 |website=Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) |language=de}}</ref> Both tubes were closed to traffic. Trains scheduled to use the tunnel were cancelled or redirected to the "panorama route" which added about one to two hours to journeys. Since the alternate route was unable to accommodate bi-level equipment, passenger capacity was reduced by around two-thirds.  

Experts from the [[Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board]] (STSB) were dispatched to the site to preserve and document evidence of the crash. Investigators found fragments of a wheel and signs of derailment several kilometers before the crash site. At the Faido station, they discovered a pile of derailed wagons. The STSB's mission is to determine the causes of accidents to ensure or improve safety, rather than to assign guilt or responsibility.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=13 August 2023 |title=Le déraillement d'un train au Gothard a été provoqué par le bris d'une roue - Le Temps |language=fr |url=https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/le-deraillement-au-gothard-provoque-par-le-bris-d-une-roue |access-date=17 August 2023 |issn=1423-3967}}</ref>
The STSB believes that the derailment was likely caused by a broken wheel tread inside the tunnel. All fragments of the wheel were found, consisting of several large pieces.<ref name=":2" /> The cause of the breakage has not yet been determined. External influence or fatigue fracture are possible explanations. The wheel fragments will be subjected to metallurgical analysis to determine the cause.
Despite the broken wheel, the wagon was dragged by the train for several kilometers. At the switching point of the multi-functional station, where trains can switch between the two tubes of the tunnel, the wagon derailed, pulling more than 20 following wagons off the tracks.<ref name=":2" />

The tunnel's repair work was extensive. Originally expected to be completed by the end of 2023, it was announced in November 2023 that the repairs would not be finished before September 2024, with the tunnel operating at reduced capacity until then.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tagesschau |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/gotthard-tunnel-126.html |access-date=10 November 2023 |date=2 November 2023 |language=de}}</ref> This was due to repairs requiring a complete replacement of seven kilometers of rails, including 20,000 sleeper blocks and their concrete foundations, a damaged lane-change gate, two high-speed switches and many other safety and operationally relevant parts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gotthard-Basistunnel: Schäden gravierend, Normalbetrieb voraussichtlich ab September 2024 |url=https://news.sbb.ch/medien/artikel/124073/gotthard-basistunnel-schaeden-gravierend-normalbetrieb-voraussichtlich-ab-september-2024 |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=SBB News |language=de}}</ref> Freight trains were allowed to use the east tunnel from 23 August due to a temporary maintenance gate replacing the damaged one whilst passenger services remained rerouted.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 August 2023 |title=Derailment closes Switzerland's Gotthard Base Tunnel |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/derailment-closes-switzerlands-gotthard-base-tunnel/ |access-date=11 August 2023 |website=Trains |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4" />

Freight capacity in the tunnel was gradually increased on weekdays, while passenger services saw expansion on weekends. In case of emergency, passengers would be evacuated through the other tunnel tube.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gotthard-Basistunnel: Schäden gravierend, Normalbetrieb voraussichtlich ab September 2024 |url=https://news.sbb.ch/medien/artikel/124073/gotthard-basistunnel-schaeden-gravierend-normalbetrieb-voraussichtlich-ab-september-2024 |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=SBB News |language=de}}</ref> Following the reopening of the undamaged northern third of the western tube, additional freight and passenger services were scheduled to use the tunnel, with a full reopening and a return to normal service commencing on 2nd September 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bovenizer |first=Noah |date=2024-09-02 |title=Gotthard Base Tunnel fully reopens 13 months after derailment |url=https://www.railway-technology.com/news/gotthard-base-tunnel-fully-reopens-derailment/ |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=Railway Technology |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Traffic==
[[File:Gottardo.jpg|thumb|South portal: Intercity on the base line and regional train on the vertex line]]
Since the opening date on 1 June 2016, between 130 and 160 trains on an average working day operated through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, which in March 2019 marked the 100,000th transit. Around two-thirds of the passages were freight trains and the remaining quota were passenger trains, both national and international.<ref>{{cite web |first = David |last = Burroughs |url = https://www.railjournal.com/regions/europe/100000th-train-travels-through-the-gotthard-base-tunnel/ |title = 100,000th train travels through the Gotthard Base Tunnel |date = 6 March 2019 |website = [[International Railway Journal]] |archive-url = https://archive.today/20190709081820/https://www.railjournal.com/regions/europe/100000th-train-travels-through-the-gotthard-base-tunnel/ |archive-date = 9 July 2019 |url-status = live |access-date = 9 July 2019 }}</ref>

===Projections===
The number of projected trains per day was 180–260 freight trains and 50 (65 from 2020) passenger trains.<ref name=SBBoperation>{{cite web |title=The Gotthard Base Tunnel |url=https://company.sbb.ch/en/media/background-information/gotthard-base-tunnel.html |publisher=[[SBB CFF FFS]] |location=Bern, Switzerland |date=2016 |access-date=17 June 2016 |archive-date=20 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620135208/http://www.sbb.ch/en/group/media/dossier-medienschaffende/gotthard-basistunnel.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Passengers===
After the opening of the tunnel there was an increase in passengers crossing the trans-alpine line, with 2.3 million passengers in the first 8 months, an increase of 30% over the previous year.<ref name=swissinfo>{{cite news |title=Gotthard rail tunnel boosts north-south traffic by a third |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/railway-travel_gotthard-rail-tunnel-boosts-north-south-traffic-by-a-third/43382304 |author=swissinfo.ch/ug |date=2 August 2017 |newspaper=swissinfo.ch |publisher=SWI swissinfo.ch, a branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR |location=Bern, Switzerland |access-date=18 December 2017}}</ref>

In August 2017, an average of 10,400 people crossed the tunnel daily. Train services from Italy to Switzerland through the line are expected to become faster from 2020,{{needs update |date=September 2021}} with the opening of the [[Ceneri Base Tunnel]], with an expected further increase in passenger numbers.<ref>{{cite news |last=Green |first=Anitra |newspaper= International Railway Journal |location=Falmouth, Cornwall, UK |publisher=Simmons-Boardman Publishing Inc. |title=Strong start for Gotthard Base Tunnel |url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/europe/strong-start-for-gotthard-base-tunnel.html |date=4 August 2017 |access-date=19 December 2017}}</ref>
There are plans for a train service between [[Zürich]] and [[Milan]] with a journey time of 2:45 hours, down from 3:50 hours.<ref name=swissinfo/>  

===Freight===
{{convert|67,000|t|e6lbs|abbr=off}} on 120 trains passed through the tunnel each day during the first half year of operation.<ref name=swiFig>{{cite news |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/wirtschaft/gotthard_laengster-eisenbahntunnel-der-welt-ist-fast-zu-erfolgreich/43218526 |title=Längster Eisenbahntunnel der Welt ist fast zu erfolgreich |publisher=SWI swissinfo.ch – a branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR |location=Zürich, Switzerland |language=de |date=1 June 2017 |first=Luigi |last=Jorio |access-date=6 May 2017}}</ref>

==See also==
* {{annotated link|Brenner Base Tunnel}}
* [[Mont d'Ambin Base Tunnel]], a planned base tunnel that will be slightly longer than the GBT.
* [[Rail transport in Switzerland]]
* [[High-speed rail in Switzerland]]
* [[List of tunnels in Switzerland]]
* [[List of tunnels in the Alps]]
* [[List of tunnels by country]]
* [[List of transport megaprojects]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website}}
* [http://www.uri.info/en/allinclusiveandshorttrips/group-offers/gotthard-tunnel-experience Gotthard Tunnel Experience], Uri Tourism
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160409181100/http://www.gottardo2016.ch/en Gottardo 2016], official inauguration website
** [http://www.srf.ch/news/gotthard SRF Gotthard – Die Eröffnung], official coverage and background information by [[Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen|SRF Swiss Radio and Television]] {{in lang|de}}
** [http://www.rts.ch/info/dossiers/2016/gothard/ RTS Gothard – L'inauguration du tunnel], official coverage and background information by [[Radio Télévision Suisse|RTS Radio Télévision Suisse]] {{in lang|fr}}
* [https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/gotthard/gotthard-base-tunnel/ Alptransit Gotthard AG official website]{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{structurae|20000842}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150628080550/http://www.agn-amsteg.ch/ AGN Erstfeld Amsteg Constructors Web Site] (many photos and designs)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120913020852/http://www.tat-ti.ch/ Faido Bodio Constructors Web Site] (many photos and designs)
* {{Helveticat}}
;Videos
* Aerial views of the works (by AlpTransit AG): [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upP1uV1Ny_U 2012], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEsRxoohH50 2013], [https://vimeo.com/116939480 2014], [https://vimeo.com/148365954 2015]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XLPBKxn6Bo Journey through the GBT (SRF DOK)]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj0NQMhw818 Flight over the GBT (SRF DOK)]
* [https://vimeo.com/169894340 17 years of construction (NRLA)]
* Corporate videos: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qI1xQX7Cg8 AlpTransit Gotthard AG (main contractor)], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5807vg7xsg4 Herrenknecht (TBM)], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWwWzNlFIPI ABB (ventilation)], [https://web.archive.org/web/20161220195548/https://vimeo.com/64878612 Thales (railway signalling)], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjHByqReVQs Transtec Gotthard (railway technology)]
;Routes
* [https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/6283450 Gotthard-Basistunnel (6283450)]

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[[Category:Railway tunnels in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Railway tunnels]]
[[Category:High-speed railway lines in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Tunnels in the Alps]]
[[Category:Base tunnels]]
[[Category:Tunnels in the canton of Uri]]
[[Category:Graubünden–Uri border]]
[[Category:Tunnels in Graubünden]]
[[Category:Graubünden–Ticino border]]
[[Category:Tunnels in Ticino]]
[[Category:Ticino–Uri border]]
[[Category:Tunnels completed in 2016]]
[[Category:Gotthard railway]]
[[Category:2016 establishments in Switzerland]]