Gotthard Base Tunnel:Surveying the Drive, Laser Scanning and Track Position Control

Quelle/credit: AlpTransit Gotthard AG

The Gotthard Base Tunnel’s route alignment

Quelle/credit: AlpTransit Gotthard AG

Schematic view of the tunnel system

Quelle/credit: AlpTransit Gotthard AG

Quelle/credit: BSF Swissphoto

Position and directional transmission from the portal (portal points marked red) in the tunnel (surveying points in green) with traverse

Quelle/credit: BSF Swissphoto

Surveying activities: surveyor measuring the traverse with total station and measuring crew during levelling

Quelle/credit: BSF Swissphoto

Mobile terrestrial laser scanning system

Quelle/credit: BSF Swissphoto

Colour-coded variance difference images to check the shoulder’s construction accuracy

Quelle/credit: BSF Swissphoto

Tunnel profile with point definition for documenting the geometry

Quelle/credit: BSF Swissphoto

Quelle: AlpTransit Gotthard AG

Measuring car for checking the track position

Quelle: AlpTransit Gotthard AG

Quelle: BSF Swissphoto

Graphic presentation of the variance comparison of the track position (above: track position; below: track gauge)

Quelle: BSF Swissphoto

This report deals with the surveying activities carried out for building the world’s longest
rail tunnel (57 km), which constitutes part of
the goods transport corridor from Rotterdam
to Genoa. The Gotthard Base Tunnel runs from its north portal at Erstfeld through the Swiss Alps to the south portal at Bodio. With rock overburden of up to 2300 m the Gotthard Base Tunnel is also the deepest lying rail tunnel ever built.

Since building officially began in 1993 with the first exploratory tunnel in the geologically tricky Piora Zone, altogether 152 km of tunnels, shafts and headings have been excavated. Tunnel driving took place parallel in the five sections Erstfeld, Amsteg, Sedrun, Faido and Bodio. Excavating was completed on October 15, 2010 with the main breakthrough between Sedrun and Faido. Currently the inner lining is being finished off along with the installation of the rail technology. The tunnel is due to be opened in 2016.