Project Overview: The Second Gotthard Road Tunnel Tube

Featuring a length of 16.9 km, the planned second tunnel tube through the Gotthard will prove to be yet another outstanding feat in the Gotthard region. This contribution provides a short overview of the project, explains the investigation of the fault zones, outlines the excavation concept for piercing these zones and addresses both material management and the reuse of the excavation material.

1 Introduction

Located on the north-south axis of the A2 motorway, the Gotthard Tunnel connects the cantons of Ticino and Uri between Airolo and Göschenen. The existing motorway tunnel was opened in 1980, with forecasts based on ongoing checks indicating that it will be due for renovation in around 15 to 20 years. As part of the ‘Gotthard conservation concept’ study that began in 2009, efforts were made to identify and investigate on different feasible options for conservation. These included the prospect of constructing a second tunnel and subsequently renovating the first tunnel, as well as...

Related articles:

Issue 02/2017 Austria

Workshop at the TU Graz: Tunnelling in Fault Zones

Fault zones represent a major challenge in tunnelling for planners, geologists and contractors. It is not always easy to identify and localise fault zones quite apart from obtaining significant sample...

more
Issue 02/2021 Switzerland | Schweiz

2nd Gotthard Tube: Access Shaft Contract Awarded

In mid-March 2021, the Swiss Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) has awarded the 86.6 million Swiss francs (78.5 million euros) contract to build a 4 km access shaft for the second Gotthard tube (Lot 243)...

more
Issue 04/2015

Ceneri Base Tunnel: Current Construction Status and Prospects

1 Description of the Project By creating the first virtually level rail route through the Alps, the NRLA opens up exciting new perspectives for rail transport. Freight can then be transported...

more
Issue 03/2021 India

Extreme Working Conditions: The Rohtang Road Tunnel in the Indian Himalayas

The 8.9 km long, single-tube two-lane tunnel was built to avoid the dangerous route over the Rohtang Pass at 4000 m above sea level. The new link shortens the Manali–Leh Highway by about 50 km and...

more
India

Extreme Working Conditions: The Rohtang Road Tunnel in the Indian Himalayas

The 8.9 km long, single-tube two-lane tunnel was built to avoid the dangerous route over the Rohtang Pass at 4000 m above sea level. The new link shortens the Manali–Leh Highway by about 50 km and...

more