Editing Gotthard Base Tunnel (section)

===Construction===
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible collapsed" style="float:right; margin:0 0 1.5em 1.5em; width:271px"
|+ 2004–2011 tunnel excavation<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/status-of-the-work/status-of-the-work.html |title=Status of the work |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |date=1 November 2011 |access-date=11 November 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/status-of-the-work/raw-construction/gotthard-base-tunnel.html |title=Overview Gotthard Base Tunnel |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |date=1 January 2012 |access-date=5 February 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|-
!width=50 rowspan=2| Year
!width=50 rowspan=2| Month
!colspan=3| Total excavated
|-
! (kilometres)
! (miles)
! Of planned (%)
|-
| 2004 || July
| {{convert|52.34|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 34.1
|-
| 2005 || June
| {{convert|74.59|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 48.6
|-
| 2006 || June
| {{convert|94.10|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 61.3
|-
| 2007 || June
| {{convert|103.67|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 67.6
|-
|rowspan="5"| 2008 || March
| {{convert|108.02|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 70.4
|-
| April
| {{convert|109.00|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 71.0
|-
| July
| {{convert|113.20|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 73.8
|-
| August
| {{convert|115.20|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 75.1
|-
| October
| {{convert|118.40|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 77.2
|-
|rowspan="10"| 2009 || January
| {{convert|124.00|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 81.6
|-
| March
| {{convert|127.30|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 83.9
|-
| May
| {{convert|131.00|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 86.3
|-
| June
| {{convert|133.00|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 87.6
|-
| July
| {{convert|134.80|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 87.9
|-
| August
| {{convert|136.60|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 90.0
|-
| September
| {{convert|137.30|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 90.4
|-
| October
| {{convert|138.60|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 91.3
|-
| November
| {{convert|140.00|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 92.2
|-
| December
| {{convert|141.38|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 93.0
|-
|rowspan="12"| 2010 || January
| {{convert|141.82|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 93.4
|-
| February
| {{convert|142.48|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 93.8
|-
| March
| {{convert|143.80|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 94.7
|-
| April
| {{convert|144.80|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 95.4
|-
| May
| {{convert|145.40|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 95.8
|-
| June
| {{convert|146.10|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 96.2
|-
| July
| {{convert|146.60|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 96.6
|-
| August
| {{convert|147.33|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 97.0
|-
| September
| {{convert|147.98|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 97.5
|-
| October
| {{convert|149.10|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 98.2
|-
| November
| {{convert|149.90|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 98.7
|-
| December
| {{convert|150.40|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 99.0
|-
|rowspan="7"| 2011 || January
| {{convert|150.49|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 99.1
|-
| February
| {{convert|150.77|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 99.3
|-
| March
| {{convert|151.26|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 99.6
|-
| April
| {{convert|151.70|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 99.91
|-
| May
| {{convert|151.75|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 99.94
|-
| June
| {{convert|151.82|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
| align=right | 99.99
|-
| July
| {{convert|151.82|km|mi|2|disp=table}}
|100<ref name="driving">{{cite web |url=http://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/media/press-releases/gotthard-basistunnel-der-vortrieb-ist-beendet-729.html?cHash=c5ea7c0f8d5607531287e6d859a4b425 |title=Gotthard Base Tunnel: Driving complete |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |date=23 March 2011 |access-date=16 November 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|}

AlpTransit Gotthard AG was responsible for construction. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of the [[Swiss Federal Railways|Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS)]].

To cut construction time in half, four access tunnels were built so that construction could start at four different sites simultaneously: Erstfeld, Amsteg, Sedrun, and Faido. A fifth&nbsp;at Bodio&nbsp;was added later. The two tunnels are joined approximately every {{convert|325|m|ft|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} by connecting galleries. Trains can move between the tunnels in the two multifunction stations at [[Sedrun]] and [[Faido]]. These stations house ventilation equipment and technical infrastructure and serve as emergency stops and evacuation routes.<ref name="malins"/>

Access to the Sedrun station site is by a level access tunnel {{convert|1|km|mi|sigfig=4|1|abbr=on}} long from the valley floor near Sedrun. At the end of the access tunnel, two vertical shafts lead {{convert|800|m|ft|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} down to the base tunnel level. A proposal to construct a functioning railway station, called ''[[Porta Alpina]]'' (from [[Romansh language|Romansh]], "Alpine Gate"), at this site was evaluated, but the project was put on hold in 2007 and definitively cancelled by the federal authorities in 2012 as uneconomical.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bundesrat bestätigt vorläufigen Verzicht auf die Porta Alpina |url=https://www.news.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=44585 |date=16 May 2012 |publisher = Swiss federal authorities |type = Press release |access-date=31 December 2014}}</ref>

The final breakthrough in the east tube occurred on 15 October 2010 at 14:17 +02:00.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/media/press-releases/detail/article/final-breakthrough-of-the-longest-railway-tunnel-in-the-world/ |title=Final breakthrough of the longest railway tunnel in the world |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |date=15 October 2010 |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |access-date=5 June 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The final breakthrough in the west tube occurred on 23 March 2011 at 12:20.<ref name="bedding">{{cite news |title=Switzerland's Gotthard Base train tunnel is redefining Europe |last=Bedding |first=James |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/journeysbyrail/9880313/Switzerlands-Gotthard-Base-train-tunnel-is-redefining-Europe.html |date=19 February 2013 |work=[[The Telegraph (UK)|The Telegraph]] |access-date=11 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/media/press-releases/detail/article/gotthard-base-tunnel-driving-complete/ |title=Gotthard Base Tunnel: Driving complete |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |date=23 March 2011 |access-date=1 June 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

On 30 August 2013, the tunnel was entirely traversed for the first time from Bodio to Erstfeld in six hours, by diesel train, buses and by foot.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.corridor-rhine-alpine.eu/news-detail/switzerland-first-transit-in-the-gotthard-base-tunnel/cmd/clear.html |title=Switzerland: First transit in the Gotthard Base Tunnel |website=corridor-rhine-alpine.eu |access-date=7 December 2016 }}</ref>

On 16 December 2013, the operational test phase started on a {{convert|13|km|mi|adj=on}} stretch in the southern section of the west tube between Faido and Bodio. Its purpose was to test the infrastructure and any ancillary systems.<ref name="globalrailnews 2">{{cite news |title=Test trains running on Gotthard Base Tunnel |url=http://www.globalrailnews.com/2013/12/17/test-trains-running-on-gotthard-base-tunnel/ |work=Global Rail News |date=17 December 2013 |access-date=21 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203022817/http://www.globalrailnews.com/2013/12/17/test-trains-running-on-gotthard-base-tunnel/ |archive-date=3 February 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 31 October 2014, the railway track installation was completed. A gold [[Sleeper (tie)|sleeper]] on the very last part of the track was installed during the event to mark this milestone of progress.<ref name=History>{{cite web |url=http://www.alpiq.com/news-stories/stories/stories.jsp?story=tcm:95-118469&tag=Integrated+project+management&taxid=8049&schema=52639 |title=The construction of the century takes shape |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |access-date=20 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601004609/http://www.alpiq.com/news-stories/stories/stories.jsp?story=tcm:95-118469&tag=Integrated+project+management&taxid=8049&schema=52639 |archive-date=1 June 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.euronews.com/2014/10/31/celebrations-as-last-piece-of-track-is-laid-in-record-breaking-gotthard-rail-/ |title=Celebrations as last piece of track is laid in record-breaking Gotthard rail tunnel &#124; euronews, world news |website=Euronews.com |date=31 October 2014 |access-date=25 January 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064333/http://www.euronews.com/2014/10/31/celebrations-as-last-piece-of-track-is-laid-in-record-breaking-gotthard-rail-/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 1 October 2015, following permission by the Federal Office of Transport, the first tests on the entire length of the GBT were performed, with steadily increasing speed. On 8 November, a train reached the top speed of {{cvt|275|km/h}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.luzernerzeitung.ch/nachrichten/schweiz/Mit-275-Sachen-durch-den-Gotthard-Basistunnel;art66368,629964 |title=Mit 275 Sachen durch den Gotthard-Basistunnel |publisher=[[Neue Luzerner Zeitung]] |date=19 November 2015 |website=[[Luzerner Zeitung]] |access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Nrla scheme.png|thumb|600px|center|A diagram showing the mountains above the Gotthard Base Tunnel, and the locations and directions the tunnel was excavated from.]]

====Allocation of work====
[[File:Gotthard Basistunnel Portal Nord 2009-06-14.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the Erstfeld area (north portal) in 2009]]
The contracts were awarded in sections:
* [[Erstfeld]] (the {{convert|7.7|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} section from Erstfeld to [[Amsteg]]), with two [[tunnel boring machine]]s (TBM) boring the two tubes. The break-through of the east tube between Erstfeld and Amsteg took place on 15 June 2009. The portal area was [[Cut-and-cover|surface-mined]].
* Amsteg (the {{convert|11.3|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} section from Amsteg to north of [[Sedrun]]), ARGE AGN ([[Strabag]] and Züblin Murer) received the contract for work in this sector.<ref name="agn">{{cite web |url= http://www.agn-amsteg.ch/baulos-amsteg/projektbeschrieb.html |title= Projektbeschrieb |publisher= AGN Strabag |date= 24 September 2010 |access-date= 19 October 2010 |language= de |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141008175608/http://www.agn-amsteg.ch/baulos-amsteg/projektbeschrieb.html |archive-date= 8 October 2014 |url-status= dead }}</ref> On 9 December 2009, the Amsteg section was officially delivered to the owner for fitting-out,<ref name="neat.ch">{{cite web |url=http://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/media/press-releases/tunnelroehren-des-abschnitts-amsteg-im-rohbau-uebergeben-283.html?cHash=08041d305a4bf933d5913043b9c1cee0 |title=Structurally complete tunnels of the Amsteg section handed over |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |date=10 December 2009 |access-date=12 November 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> with civil engineering, construction, concrete and lining work completed in early 2010.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=http://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/media/press-releases/gotthard-vor-hauptdurchschlag-hauptvortrieb-am-ceneri-288.html?cHash=5bf551d1688835a7142c5aa6f1e8e37c |title=Gotthard approaches final breakthrough, Ceneri starts main drive |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |date=31 March 2010 |access-date=12 November 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* Sedrun (the {{convert|8.6|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} East tube and {{convert|8.7|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} West tube in the section immediately north and south of Sedrun), along with work performed by Transco ([[Bilfinger SE]], [[Implenia]], [[Frutiger (company)|Frutiger]] and [[Impresa Pizzarotti]]).<ref name="transco">{{cite web|url=http://www.transco-sedrun.ch/1_DEU_HTML.htm |title=Transco Sedrun |publisher=Transco |language=de |access-date=15 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529224525/http://www.transco-sedrun.ch/1_DEU_HTML.htm |archive-date=29 May 2010 }}</ref><ref name="transconce">{{cite magazine | url = http://www.nce.co.uk/features/geotechnical/gotthard-a-titanic-tunnel/5217000.article | title = Gotthard: A titanic tunnel | magazine = New Civil Engineer | publisher = EMAP Publishing Limited | date = 29 April 2010 | first = Martina | last = Booth | access-date = 15 July 2015}}</ref> The final breakthrough in the west tube occurred in March 2011.<ref name="serunfinal">{{cite web |url=http://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/media/press-releases/hauptdurchschlag-im-laengsten-eisenbahntunnel-der-welt-303.html?cHash=b99fdea861735d62090812c2c22a7185 |title=Final breakthrough of the longest railway tunnel in the world |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |date=15 October 2011 |access-date=12 November 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The northbound tubes from Amsteg to the Sedrun multifunction station (north) were handed over to the railway systems contractor Transtec Gotthard on 15 September 2011, the date specified in the construction schedule.<ref name="TranstecGotthard">{{cite web |url=http://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/media/press-releases/der-einbau-der-bahntechnik-im-norden-hat-begonnen-736.html?cHash=f6c5d662a753c9bf3ad0c0be1f7ea816 |title=Installation of the railway systems in the north has begun |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |date=2 September 2011 |access-date=12 November 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* [[Faido]] ({{convert|13.4|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} East tube and {{convert|13.6|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} West tube in the section from south of Sedrun to Faido), with Consorzio TAT (Alpine Mayreder Bau, CSC Impresa costruzioni, [[Hochtief]] and [[Implenia]] and [[Impregilo]]).<ref name="TAT">{{cite web|url=http://www.tat-ti.ch/ |title=St. Barbara Celebration 2012 |publisher=Consorzio TAT |language=de |access-date=11 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913020852/http://www.tat-ti.ch/ |archive-date=13 September 2012}}</ref>
* [[Bodio]] ({{convert|15.9|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} East tube and {{convert|15.6|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} West tube in the section from Faido to Bodio), with work performed by Consorzio TAT (Alpine Mayreder Bau, CSC Impresa costruzioni, Hochtief, Implenia and Impregilo).<ref name="TAT" /> Civil engineering construction, concrete and lining works were completed in early 2010.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

====Deaths during construction====
Nine workers died during construction; one in the Amsteg section, two in the Sedrun section, and three each in the southernmost Faido and Bodio sections.<ref name=Memorial>{{cite news |url=https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/media/press-releases/detail/article/memorial-ceremony-for-deceased-tunnel-workers/ |publisher=AlpTransit Gotthard AG |location=Lucerne, Switzerland |title=Memorial ceremony for deceased tunnel workers |date=31 May 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
{|class=wikitable
! Date !! Nationality !! Details <!-- !! Location -->
|-
| 8 June 2000 || German || Hit by a boring bar that fell {{convert|700|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Andreas Reichhardt, † 8. Juni 2000 |publisher=[[Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen|SRF]] |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/andreas-reichhardt-8-juni-2000 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|-
| 12 March 2002 || South African || Buried by excavation material.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Jacques Du Plooy, † 12. März 2002 |publisher=SRF |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/jacques-du-plooy-12-maerz-2002 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|-
| 3 April 2003 || German || Hit by a rock.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Heiko Bujack, † 3. April 2003 |publisher=SRF |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/heiko-bujack-3-april-2003 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|-
| 11 September 2003 || Austrian || Crushed by a toppling cable drum.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Albert Ginzinger, † 11. September 2003 |publisher=SRF |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/albert-ginzinger-11-september-2003 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Matthias Chapman |title=Die Toten vom Gotthard |newspaper=[[Tages-Anzeiger]] |url=http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/schweiz/standard/Die-Toten-vom-Gotthard/story/14276219 |date=12 October 2010 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|-
| 21 January 2005 || Italian (1)<br />Italian (1) || Hit in a mine train collision.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Salvatore di Benedetto, † 21. Januar 2005 |publisher=SRF |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/salvatore-di-benedetto-21-januar-2005 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Andrea Astorino, † 21. January 2005  |publisher=SRF |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/andrea-astorino-21-januar-2005 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|-
| 23 November 2006 || German || Crushed by a mine train.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Thorsten Elsemann, † 23. November 2006 |publisher=SRF |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/thorsten-elsemann-23-november-2006 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|-
| 24 June 2010 || German || Catapulted from an inspection train.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Hans Gammel, † 24. Juni 2010 |publisher=SRF |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/hans-gammel-24-juni-2010 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|-
| 16 July 2012 || Italian || Fell from a scaffold.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gieri Venzin |title=Giuseppe Liuzzo, † 16. Juni 2012  |publisher=SRF |url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/guiseppe-liuzzo-16-juni-2012 |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|}