Opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel is another milestone in Alptransit
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Sep 7, 2020 at 1:09 PMThe German Transport Forum e.V. (DVF) congratulates Switzerland on the opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel on September 4th on the Gotthard line. Germany committed to expanding access routes to two lanes as early as 1996. In the best case, this will not happen until 2040. The DVF recommends the Swiss financing model for Germany as well.
(Berlin) “The mobility association DVF congratulates Switzerland for the consistent implementation of the three challenging alpine railway tunnels and recommends this approach for significant transport projects in Germany as well. Switzerland has financially secured the expansion of the New Railway Alpine Transversal (NEAT) over the entire duration of 28 years,” says DVF rail expert Sarah Stark. “Only the implementation and use of the funds were subject to an annual parliamentary oversight committee,” Stark continues.
Switzerland opens the Ceneri Base Tunnel as the last section of the NEAT. It is a European project aimed at bringing alpine-crossing traffic between Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy onto the rails – however, Germany is lagging far behind in its expansion commitments.
Germany is lagging behind in the expansion of access routes
With the “flat railway,” longer and heavier trains can travel through the Alps with less energy instead of over them. This enables further shifting of truck transport onto the rails. Germany and Italy have begun expanding the access routes, but there is still a significant need for action. As early as 1996, Germany committed to expanding the route to four lanes in a state treaty, of which only a few kilometers are currently in operation. These measures are not expected to be completed until 2040.
“The DVF has been advocating for reliable financing of large infrastructure projects for years, without restricting parliamentary control. This would simultaneously reduce costs – saving taxpayer money and accelerating construction projects. It is equally important to involve the public earlier in the planning process,” explains Stark.
To achieve climate goals in the transport sector, one cannot wait until 2040. The continuous use of the NEAT is, in Stark’s opinion, a crucial building block for Germany to reach its goals of increasing the market share of rail freight transport to 25 percent and doubling passenger numbers by 2030, as well as fulfilling its commitment to reduce greenhouse gases in transport by then. “What is missing in German transport policy is the connection of a clear prioritization with a binding financial guarantee over the entire project duration. The cash-based budget planning is costly and delays rapid implementation.”
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