Gotthard: blasting instead of groundbreaking
Construction work on the second Gotthard road tunnel tube officially began yesterday, Wednesday, 29 September 2021, in Göschenen and Airolo (Switzerland). The 16.9 km tunnel, which will cost around CHF 2 billion, is being built parallel to the old tunnel with a gap of around 70 m between the two tubes. The new tube is scheduled for completion by 2029.
After that, the first tube will be redeveloped so that both tunnels will not be open until 2032. Traffic will then be on one lane per tunnel, which will increase traffic safety.
Originally, work was to begin with a groundbreaking ceremony in spring 2021. However, the ceremony had to be postponed because of the corona pandemic. The start of construction yesterday, Wednesday, with over 150 invited guests, was therefore also celebrated with a symbolic blasting. (ben)