Gotthard: World’s longest rail tunnel shut for months after freight crash
Switzerland’s Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world’s lengthiest rail tunnel, has been forced to halt passenger services following a derailment that has inflicted substantial damage and will necessitate months of repair work.
The Swiss authorities have stated that there is currently no clear timeline for the reopening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel, which was shut down after a derailment incident on August 10. Sixteen carriages remain derailed and trapped inside the tunnel a week after the incident.
The Gotthard rail connection, which took two decades to construct and incurred a cost exceeding $12 billion, commenced operations in 2016. The CEO of Swiss national rail operator SBB, Vincent Ducrot, conveyed that the Gotthard Tunnel is among the most secure tunnels globally, and the occurrence of such an accident has had a profound impact. He noted that while there were no injuries, substantial material damage occurred.
The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) and the public prosecutor’s office of the Canton of Ticino are conducting an investigation into the incident.
SBB revealed that approximately 8 kilometers (4.9 miles) of track and 20,000 concrete sleepers need replacement. While one side of the tunnel remains unaffected and could potentially resume freight operations by August 23, passenger trains won’t utilize the unaffected side due to safety concerns. This diversion will lead to longer travel times for passengers.
The Gotthard Base Tunnel traverses the Alps, serving as a vital high-speed connection between northern and southern Europe. It plays a crucial role in both passenger and cargo transport, particularly for freight moving between Germany and Italy. Last year, over two-thirds of rail freight traffic in the Alps utilized this tunnel.
As a result of this disruption, journeys will now take at least an extra 60 minutes, and international passengers will need to switch trains in Chiasso. Only trains traveling to and from Genoa and Venice will have a direct route, according to SBB’s statement.
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