Switzerland opens the world’s longest train tunnel on June 1

CHTunne
CHTunne
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Seventeen years ago saw the first blasting in the historic heartland of Switzerland of the longest train tunnel in the world.

Seventeen years ago saw the first blasting in the historic heartland of Switzerland of the longest train tunnel in the world. Wednesday, June 1, 2016, will see the festive opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel – adding a further pioneering attraction to the world’s densest public transport network. The tunnel will bring Switzerland’s neighboring countries, regions and cities north and south of the Alps closer together. Travel by train will be quicker, easier and more convenient.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016, sees the festive opening in Switzerland of the longest and deepest train tunnel in the world. The tunnel extends for 57 kilometers to a depth of up to 2,300 meters below the Gotthard massif. This flagship project for efficient and sustainable transportation on the north-south axis will permit high-speed travel through the Alps in only 17 minutes.

The new flat-track route will not only cut travel time through the Gotthard, but also facilitate transit travel for longer and heavier trains. After 17 years of challenging building work, constructor AlpTransit Gotthard Ltd will hand over the completed tunnel to the Swiss Federal Railways on time and on budget. Switzerland’s internationally acclaimed public transport system – already the densest in the world – has perfected another pioneering first.

The best way to discover Switzerland

The Gotthard Base Tunnel enters into regular operation on 11 December 2016. The shorter travel times will bring neighbouring countries, regions and cities closer together. The dual-track tunnel will enable passengers from near and far to spend more time discovering the many delights of Switzerland north and south of the Gotthard.

Videos about the inauguration will be available on SwissTravelSystem.com/media from 1 June 2016 17.00 hrs (CET). Live pictures and film material will be accessible from 1 June 2016 via the European Broadcasting Union for EBU members or via SRG Sat.Chanel SRG-AB8 for all others.

About the author

Avatar of Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen Thomas Steinmetz has continuously worked in the travel and tourism industry since he was a teenager in Germany (1977).
He founded eTurboNews in 1999 as the first online newsletter for the global travel tourism industry.

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