SBB Takes Responsibility for the Ceneri Base Tunnel

Last night, the Ceneri Base Tunnel, the final element of the NEAT, was transferred from its creator AlpTransit Gotthard AG to the SBB as the operator. The SBB will subsequently send around 4000 to 5000 trains with passengers or goods through the tunnel as part of the so-called trial operation before officially putting the tunnel into operation in December 2020.

(Bern) The legal transfer from AlpTransit Gotthard AG (ATG) to the SBB marks the beginning of the celebrations surrounding the opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel and the completion of the New Railway Alpine Transversals NEAT. At a media conference at the northern portal in Camorino (TI), representatives from ATG, the SBB, and the Federal Office of Transport (BAV) informed about the current status of the work.

2,000 Test Runs

Dieter Schwank, CEO of ATG, reported on the final works in the Ceneri Base Tunnel as well as the status of the test operation. From March 1, 2020, to the end of August 2020, more than 2000 test runs were completed with a travel distance of around 40,000 km. Such tests are conducted without passengers or goods to verify the safe functioning of all facilities and systems in the new tunnel. Due to the impacts of the Corona pandemic, the test operation had to be interrupted for four weeks. It was resumed on April 20, adhering to the guidelines of the Federal Office of Public Health. In the early morning of May 1, a test train ICE-S traveled through the tunnel at 275 km/h.

Three Months of Trial Operation

Daniel Salzmann, head of the project organization North-South Axis Gotthard at the SBB, explained how train operations will be gradually ramped up after the transfer of the tunnel to the SBB during the trial operation. A total of 4000 to 5000 trips of regular trains with passengers or goods on board are planned through the tunnel. The SBB is using the trial operation, which lasts just over three months, as a “dress rehearsal” before the timetable change to practice operations, maintenance, and intervention.

Opening Ceremony on September 4, 2020

Gregor Saladin, co-project leader of the celebrations for the completion of the NEAT (“Ceneri 2020”) at the BAV, provided an outlook on the events on September 3 and 4. On September 3, delegations from the transport ministries of neighboring countries will meet in Locarno at the invitation of Federal President Simonetta Sommaruga. The discussions will focus on cross-Alpine rail freight transport, international passenger trains, and an environmentally friendly transport policy. The celebration for the opening of the tunnel and the completion of the NEAT will take place on September 4. Federal President Simonetta Sommaruga, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, and the President of the Ticino State Council, Norman Gobbi, will deliver the opening speeches. The completion of the tunnel will be marked by the traditional ribbon-cutting. During the ceremony, the official inaugural run of a freight train through the Ceneri Base Tunnel will take place.

Photo: © SBB
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