Swiss Complete World's Longest, Deepest Tunnel in Record Time

The Gotthard base tunnel under the Swiss Alps is an "engineering tour-de-force" at 57.5 kilometres in length. Its nearest rival is the Seikan Tunnel in Japan, at 53.9 km.

1 minute read

June 2, 2016, 5:00 AM PDT

By urbanguy


Swiss Federal Railways

A Swiss Federal Railways train between Bodio and Biasca in Ticino, Switzerland. | Daniel Friedlos / Flickr

Globe and Mail reporter Eric Rebuly writes, "The new tunnel, which took $12.5-billion (U.S.) and almost 20 years to build, is designed as the key component in the creation of a high-speed corridor that will whiz freight and passengers from as far north as Europe’s busiest port – Rotterdam, in the Netherlands – all the way south through Switzerland and into Italy’s northern industrial heartland." Working around the clock in three shifts, some 2,600 workers completed the tunnel project almost a year ahead of schedule.

Piotr Boruslawski provides additional coverage of the project, with lots of images, for designboom.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016 in The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing