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The second tube

The second tube

The Gotthard road tunnel between Göschenen and Airolo needs extensive repairs because of its age. This requires a full road closure. To ensure that the north-south link can be maintained during renovation works, the Federal Roads Office FEDRO is building a second tunnel tube over the next few years. On the following pages you can find out more about the construction project, construction sites, the technologies used, environmental aspects and operation and safety precautions.

Project details, aim and purpose

A second tube is being built through the Gotthard, largely parallel to the existing road tunnel tube, to handle traffic while the latter is renovated. The second tube should be completed by 2030. Once the first tube has been renovated, there will be two single-lane tunnel tubes, each with an emergency lane. The capacity of the road system remains unaltered; the vehicle regulation system will also remain in place.

Construction sites

Construction work on the second Gotthard tunnel tube includes the main tunnel, access tunnels, outdoor facilities and installation sites in Göschenen and Airolo as well as the motorway cover and the redesign of the motorway junction in Airolo. Here you can find out more about the construction sites, construction work and the constructions themselves.

Engineering

Here you can find information about the construction engineering, for example about tunnelling methods, blasting and tunnel boring machines. There is also information on logistics and transport, the systems used in the tunnel and how the ventilation works.

Environment and geology

Here you can find out how the construction project is impacting the area. For example, you can read about the geology of the Gotthard and how FEDRO uses the excavated material.

Operation and safety

What safety aspects need to be taken into accoung when a tunnel is built? How is operational safety being improved in the Gotthard tunnel?