Editing NRLA (section)

== Lötschberg axis ==
The Lötschberg axis, with the [[Lötschberg Base Tunnel]] (LBT) in the [[Bernese Alps]], was built by BLS Alp Transit. It supports the western transit network via [[Basel]], [[Olten]], [[Bern]], [[Brig, Switzerland|Brig]], [[Domodossola]] and [[Milan]]. The tunnel replaces the existing higher-altitude 1913 {{convert|14.6|km|adj=on}} [[Lötschberg Tunnel]] for most traffic. The {{convert|34.6|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} base tunnel opened to traffic on 7 December 2007; it was the first part of the NRLA to be delivered, but is only partially completed. Because of NRLA cost overruns, funding for the axis was diverted to the [[Gotthard Base Tunnel]] and only one of the tunnel's two bores has been completed and is fully equipped for rail use. 14 kilometers of the other bore are completed; 14 kilometers are excavated but not equipped, and 7 kilometers have not been excavated. High-speed switches allow the completed 40% of the second bore to be used as a passing track,<ref name=ATPOv/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/overview/results/?no_cache=1&tx_alptransit_list%5Bfilter%5D%5Btags%5D%5Btag%5D=24&tx_alptransit_list%5Bcontroller%5D=Event |title=Results for Lötschberg |publisher=Federal Swiss Archives FSA, Federal Office of Transport FOT |location=Berne, Switzerland |work=AlpTransit Portal |access-date=2017-07-01}}</ref><ref name=ATPLeo>{{cite web |url=https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/overview/construction/events/ereignis/the-loetschberg-enters-operation/true/?no_cache=1 |title=The Lötschberg enters operation |date=9 December 2007 |publisher=Federal Swiss Archives FSA, Federal Office of Transport FOT |location=Berne, Switzerland |work=AlpTransit Portal |access-date=2017-07-01}}</ref> but the {{convert|21|km}} of single track without [[passing loop]]s complicates operations and greatly reduces the line capacity. Trains are scheduled by batches in each direction which are separated by long intervals; trains more than seven minutes late are routed via the [[Lötschberg railway|old line]] or must wait for the next available timetable slot in their direction in the tunnel, causing major further delays. A planning contract  for the completion of the second track of the LBT was awarded in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.railjournal.com/regions/europe/planning-contract-awarded-for-ltschberg-base-tunnel-track-doubling/|title=Planning contract awarded for Lötschberg Base Tunnel track doubling|date=1 February 2016}}</ref> The resulting plan was presented in Spring 2019, with options of either only fitting out the existing 14&nbsp;km of unequipped tunnels or fully completing the second tube.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=https://www.tunneltalk.com/Switzerland-20Feb19-L%C3%B6tschberg-plans-full-twin-tube-rail-completion.php |title=Lötschberg plans full rail baseline finish |website=www.tunneltalk.com}}</ref> In early-2024 the choice was made to go for the full option, with an estimated cost of CHF&nbsp;1.7&nbsp;billion<ref name="BLS-2024">{{Cite web |url=https://www.bls.ch/en/unternehmen/projekte-und-hintergruende/neat |title=BLS is upgrading the Lötschberg Base Tunnel|website=www.bls.ch}}</ref> and an expected delivery date of 2033.<ref name="TunnelOnline-2020">{{Cite web |url=https://www.tunnel-online.info/en/artikel/tunnel_Plans_for_Further_Development_of_the_Loetschberg_Base_Tunnel_Enter_Next-3577057.html |title=Plans for Further Development of the Lötschberg Base Tunnel Enter Next Stage|website=www.tunnel-online.info}}</ref> That choice is naturally more expensive and will take two years longer, but it provides a much higher capacity and avoids fully closing the line for eight months.<ref name="RailWays-News">{{Cite web |url=https://railway-news.com/lotschberg-base-tunnel-upgrade-enters-next-stage/ |title=Lötschberg Base Tunnel Upgrade Enters Next Stage|website=railway-news.com}}</ref> 

The second part of the Lötschberg axis is the [[Simplon Tunnel]], completed in 1905 as a {{convert|20|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} single-track base tunnel and augmented with a second bore in 1921. It connects [[Canton of Valais|Upper Valais]] to [[Northern Italy]]'s [[Piedmont]] region.