It will connect cities.
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The NRLA (The Swiss New rail Link thru the Alps) represents a revolutionary railway connection comprising three base tunnels carved through the Alps in Switzerland. Whilst two tunnels have reached completion, one remains subject to significant expansion works.
This railway network boasts the Gotthard Base Tunnel – the globe’s longest railway tunnel - alongside the Ceneri Base Tunnel and the Lötschberg Base Tunnel. Desp
switzerland has dug more than 1,400 tunnels into its landscape(Image: Getty)
Gotthard Base Tunnel Expansion Approved by Swiss Voters
Swiss voters approved a CHF 4 billion (approximately $4.4 billion USD as of January 19, 2026) plan on February 12, 2023, to expand the gotthard Base Tunnel, Europe’s longest railway tunnel, to accommodate increased freight traffic. The expansion aims to alleviate bottlenecks and ensure the efficient transport of goods through the Swiss Alps.
Background on the Gotthard Base Tunnel
The Gotthard Base Tunnel, officially opened on June 1, 2016, is a 57.09-kilometer (35.5 miles) railway tunnel beneath the Gotthard Massif in Switzerland. It’s a key component of the New Railway Link through the Alps (NRLA) project, designed to improve rail connections between northern and southern Europe.The tunnel reduces travel time for both passenger and freight trains.
Why Expansion is Needed
Despite its capacity, the tunnel is already nearing its maximum utilization, particularly for freight transport. According to a 2022 report by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), freight volume through the tunnel is projected to increase by over 40% by 2035.Without expansion, this increased demand would lead to congestion and potentially shift freight back to road transport, increasing carbon emissions. The expansion will involve creating a second single-track tunnel running parallel to the existing one.
details of the Approved Expansion Plan
- Cost: CHF 4 billion (approximately $4.4 billion USD as of January 19, 2026).
- Scope: Construction of a second single-track tunnel, effectively doubling capacity.
- Timeline: Construction is expected to begin in 2024 and be completed by 2032.
- Funding: The project will be funded through the Swiss federal budget and potentially supplemented by contributions from cantons and other sources.
vote Results
The February 12, 2023, referendum saw 61.6% of voters approve the expansion plan, with support coming from a broad coalition of political parties and business groups. Opposition primarily stemmed from concerns about the cost and environmental impact of the project. The final vote count was 1,448,479 in favor and 898,964 against, according to the Swiss Federal chancellery. Swiss Federal Chancellery.
The expansion of the Gotthard Base Tunnel represents a meaningful investment in Switzerland’s transportation infrastructure and its commitment to sustainable freight transport.
Excavation work on the Gotthard Base Tunnel. (Image: Getty)
