Ceneri Base Tunnel

Canton of Ticino, Switzerland

The Ceneri Base Tunnel consists of two single-track tubes around 40 metres apart, which are linked to each other every 325 metres by cross-passages.

Project

With the 15.4-kilometres-long base tunnel under the Ceneri will the continuous flat route from Altdorf to Lugano become reality. Excavation process using the drill and blast method, safety measures, moisture-proofing, drainage system, final lining, interior fittings, cables layout and raw construction infrastructures.

Technical data

  • Two railway tunnels, single tube lenght about 15 km (global length about 32 km)
  • Finestra di Sigirino (FIS):  tunnel excavated with TBM Ø 9.70 m for a length of 2'318 m
  • Operational cavern (CAOP): construction of various caverns with the drill and blast method, volume about 130'000 m3
  • Trench excavation north portal
  • Excavations carried out through weak rocks north portal (jet grouting and steel pipe umbrella) under the A2 motorway
  • Opposed tunnel excavation with drill and blast method north portal
  • Trench excavation south portal
  • Execution artificial tunnel south portal
  • Opposed tunnel excavation with drill and blast method south portal (above the Vedeggio-Cassarate tunnel)

Costs

About CHF 1.6 Mld.

Timeline

2006–2020

Clients

AlpTransit Gotthard AG, Bellinzona (CH)

Services

  • Preliminary design
  • Detailed design
  • Tender design
  • Final construction design
  • Construction site supervision
  • General  project  management, support to the construction site supervision

Date: 24.01.2019