The Gotthard Base Tunnel, a critical rail link between Switzerland and Italy, is set to reopen on Monday after being closed for over a year due to a freight train derailment. The closure was caused by a broken wheel on a Swiss Federal Railways freight train, which led to extensive damage in the tunnel. The cost of repairing the damage was originally estimated at €135 million but ultimately rose to €159 million.
The closure of the tunnel has been a significant challenge for the rail freight sector, with rerouting trains proving to be costly and difficult, especially for Italian operators. The reopening of the tunnel will provide much-needed relief for the industry.
The Gotthard Base Tunnel is the longest railway tunnel in the world, stretching 57 kilometers under the Swiss Alps and serving as a crucial connection between Switzerland’s German and Italian-speaking regions. It took almost 17 years to complete and cost €10.3 billion to construct.
In the wake of the accident, Swiss Federal Railways has implemented measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, including early detection of derailments. The reopening of the tunnel is a significant milestone for the rail industry and will bring much-needed stability to freight transport between Switzerland and Italy.
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