Longest train tunnel in world opens

Zurich - The official inaugural opening in Switzerland of the Gotthard Base Tunnel – the longest train tunnel in the world - took place last week.

The occasion was celebrated with festivities on either side of the tunnel. The tunnel is 57km long and after 17 years of construction work and one year earlier than planned, it will enter into scheduled service from the end of 2016. Then it will take only 20 minutes to travel this fast flat-track route under the Alps.

The tunnel makes travel from the north to south of Switzerland easier and quicker than ever before. The existing historic and picturesque Gotthard route will, however, remain in service.

In 1992 the Swiss electorate overwhelmingly approved construction of the GBT as part of the New Rail Link through the Alps (NRLA). Some 63% of voters backed the project.

As a result Swiss cities and regions will "come closer together" and so too will Switzerland's neighbouring countries.