Gotthard Base Tunnel - Specifications

Specifications

• Length:
  • Western tunnel: 56.978 km (35.404 mi)
  • Eastern tunnel: 57.091 km (35.475 mi)
• Total length of all tunnels and shafts: 151.84 km (94.35 mi)
• Diameter of each of the single-track tubes: 8.83–9.58 m (29.0–31.4 ft)
• Distance between cross passage tunnels: ca. 325 m (1,066 ft)
• Maximum overburden: 2,500 m (8,200 ft)
• Start of construction: 1993 (sounding drills), 1996 (preparations), 2003 (mechanical excavation)
• End of construction: 2016
• Commissioning: May 2016
• Total cost: CHF 9.74 billion (as of October 2010) (US$10.1 billion)
• Trains per day: 200–250
• Electrification System: 15 kV, 16.7 Hz
• Amount of excavated rock: 28,200,000 t (31,100,000 short tons; 27,800,000 long tons), (13,300,000 m3/17,400,000 cu yd, the equivalent of 5 Giza pyramids)
• Number of tunnel boring machines (TBM): Four (two northbound from Bodio to Faido and Sedrun (Herrenknecht Gripper TBM S-210 “Sissi” and S-211 "Heidi") and two southbound from Erstfeld to Sedrun (S-229 “Gabi I” and S-230 “Gabi II”))
  • Total length: 440 m (1,440 ft) (including back-up equipment)
  • Total weight: 3,000 t (3,300 short tons; 3,000 long tons)
  • Power: 5 MW
  • Max. excavation daily: 25–30 m (82–98 ft) (in excellent rock conditions)
  • Total excavation length by TBM: about 45 km (28 mi) (for each tube)
  • Manufacturer: Herrenknecht, Schwanau, Germany

• As of October 2010, 8 workers have died during construction.

• 2004-2011 tunnel excavation: