Ceneri Base Tunnel: NRLA’s Rail Advancements in Switzerland

Here’s a voiceover-friendly excerpt:

“The Ceneri Base Tunnel, a critical piece of the NRLA, saw its eastern tube breakthrough in 2018, paving the way for enhanced Swiss railway capacity. Discover the impact!”

Ceneri Base Tunnel: NRLA’s Rail Advancements in Switzerland
September 11, 2016 1:06 pm
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Introduction

In May 2018, the construction of the Ceneri Base Tunnel, a key component of the New Railway Link through the Alps (NRLA), reached a significant milestone with the breakthrough of the eastern tunnel tube. This achievement, announced by AlpTransit Gotthard AG, the project’s client, marks substantial progress on the 15.4 km long tunnel, which is expected to begin operations in late 2020.

Ceneri Base Tunnel Breakthrough

The breakthrough occurred on May 10, 2018, following the completion of excavation works by the consortium of Ceneri 2020, which included firms such as PORR, HOCHTIEF, and CSC. This milestone involved excavating approximately 1.7 million cubic meters of rock. The Ceneri Base Tunnel, situated between Camorino and Vezia in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland, is a critical element of the NRLA, designed to enhance rail transport capacity across the Alps.

Project Overview and Scope

The Ceneri Base Tunnel comprises two single-track tubes, each with a length of 15.4 km. The tunnel’s construction, which began in 2006, included the use of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and conventional drill-and-blast methods. The project aims to improve rail connections between northern and southern Europe, facilitating faster and more efficient freight and passenger transport. The total investment for the Ceneri Base Tunnel is approximately CHF 3.3 billion.

NRLA and Network Impact

The NRLA is a comprehensive infrastructure project that includes the Gotthard Base Tunnel and the planned Brenner Railway Tunnel, among other components. The completion of the Ceneri Base Tunnel will significantly reduce travel times and increase the capacity of the Swiss railway network. It will also play a crucial role in the transport of goods, shifting traffic from road to rail, thereby reducing environmental impact.

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Last April 2018, we published an article about the MTA’s ADA accessibility upgrade. Click here to read – MTA’s ADA Subway Accessibility: $5B Investment

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Future Developments

With the eastern tube breakthrough achieved, the focus now shifts to completing the remaining infrastructural elements and equipping the tunnel for operation. The Ceneri Base Tunnel is slated to become operational in late 2020, promising to transform the railway landscape in Switzerland and beyond. Further updates on the project’s progress are expected as construction moves towards the final stages.

Conclusion

The breakthrough of the eastern tube of the Ceneri Base Tunnel represents a major advancement in the construction of the New Railway Link through the Alps. The tunnel, part of a larger project, is expected to enhance rail transport capacity. The Ceneri Base Tunnel is expected to be operational by the end of 2020.

Company Summary

AlpTransit Gotthard AG: The client for the Ceneri Base Tunnel project and a key player in the development of the New Railway Link through the Alps (NRLA).

PORR: A construction company involved in the Ceneri 2020 consortium, contributing to the excavation works of the Ceneri Base Tunnel.

HOCHTIEF: A construction company involved in the Ceneri 2020 consortium, contributing to the excavation works of the Ceneri Base Tunnel.

CSC: A construction company involved in the Ceneri 2020 consortium, contributing to the excavation works of the Ceneri Base Tunnel.

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