NRLA

Rail map of Switzerland and surrounding countries
The NRLA project is the centrepiece of the Central European rail network.

The New Railway Link through the Alps (NRLA; German: Neue Eisenbahn-Alpentransversale, NEAT, French: nouvelle ligne ferroviaire à travers les Alpes, NLFA, Italian: Nuova ferrovia transalpina, NFTA), is a Swiss construction project for faster north–south rail links across the Swiss Alps. It consists of two axes with several improvements along these rails including three new base tunnels several hundred metres below the existing apex tunnels, the 57-kilometre (35 mi) Gotthard Base Tunnel, the 35-kilometre (22 mi) Lötschberg Base Tunnel, and the 15-kilometre (9.3 mi) Ceneri Base Tunnel.[1] Swiss Federal Railways subsidiary AlpTransit Gotthard AG and BLS AG subsidiary BLS Alp Transit AG (now BLS Netz AG) were founded for this project and built the tunnels.[2]

The total projected cost of the project was CHF 12.189 billion at its 1998 start; in December 2015, its final cost was projected to be CHF 17.900 billion. The 1998 projected total cost of the Gotthard Base Tunnel was CHF 6.323 billion; in December 2015, its final cost was projected to be CHF 9.560 billion.[3] It opened on 1 June 2016, and became operational on 11 December of that year. The Ceneri Base Tunnel was opened on 3 September 2020 and became fully operational in December 2020 and is an important feeder for the Gotthard Base Tunnel.[4] A decision to fully complete the second tube of the Lötschberg Base Tunnel was made in early-2024, with an estimated cost of CHF 1.7 billion[5] and construction expected to extend from 2026 to 2033.[6]

Political background

See caption
Three-way junction under construction in the Gotthard Base Tunnel in 2006

During late-1980s and early-1990s negotiations with the European Economic Community (the predecessor of the EU), Switzerland demanded a limitation on transalpine truck traffic. When the EEC refused, Swiss negotiators instead proposed a heavy-vehicle fee (HVF), a kilometre-based tax on freight vehicles, for all lorries above 3.5 tonnes[7] and offered to build a high-speed rail link through the Alps for intermodal freight transport.

Swiss voters approved the rail link in a 27 September 1992 mandatory referendum.[8] The EU accepted the Swiss offer in 2000, but requested that the extant 28-tonne weight limit for lorries be raised to 48 tonnes. The parties eventually compromised on a 40-tonne weight limit. The bilateral Land Transport Agreement with the European Union was signed, agreeing to an increase of the kilometer-based tax (HVF; German: LSVA, French: RPLP, Italian: TTPCP) on HGVs from 1.6 ct/tkm to 1.8 ct/tkm when the NRLA was completed. The condition was deemed fulfilled at the completion of the first track of the Lötschberg Base Tunnel in 2007.[9]

Other relevant Swiss legislation includes the 1994 Alps initiative, which prohibits road-building in the Alps and encourages the transport of as many transalpine goods as possible by rail rather than road, and the 1998 Traffic Transfer Act, which sets an ideal maximum number of trucks crossing the Alps by road. Meeting this goal requires a fully functional NRLA rail link.[10]

The original plans for the NRLA were to construct only one main base tunnel, but regional disputes prevented a choice between the two options and threatened to jeopardize the entire project. The Swiss Federal Council therefore decided in 1995 to build two base tunnels (Gotthard and Lötschberg) simultaneously.[11]

In 1998, the total projected cost of the NRLA project was CHF 12.189 billion; in December 2015, the final cost was projected to be CHF 17.900 billion. The projected cost of its centerpiece, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, was CHF 6.323  billion in 1998; in December 2015, the tunnel's cost was an estimated CHF 9.560 billion. The 1998 cost of the Lötschberg axis was an estimated CHF 3.214 billion; in December 2015, it was an estimated CHF 4.237 billion.[12][3]

Swiss voters approved the NRLA project on 27 September 1992, with 63.6% support.[8]

Two years later on 20 February 1994, the Swiss populace unexpectedly also accepted with 51.9% support the Alps protecting initiative, a federal popular initiative initiated by just a few private citizens. This was despite neither the Federal Council nor the two parliamentary chambers endorsing the initiative, and their not even considering providing a counterproposal to the populace.[10]

Another mandatory referendum was held on 19 November 1998 about the creation of funds for four major public-transport projects (German: FinöV-Fonds, French: Fonds FTP, Italian: Fondo FTP), funding them with time-limited CHF 30 billion fund of which the NRLA would receive 13.6 billion. Another major project was the Bahn 2000 project regarding the modernization of the railways. The Federal Council's request was approved with 63.5% support.[13] The fund is replenished primarily by the previously mentioned kilometre-based tax on heavy-goods vehicles (HVF) and partially by taxes on gasoline originally intended for road-building, a small fraction of the VAT revenues, and funds from the general budget of the Swiss Confederation.

The bilateral agreements with the EU containing the 40-tonne limit and the implementation of the HVF were finally accepted by the Swiss populace on 21 May 2000 with 67.2% support in a federal optional referendum initiated by opposing political parties.[9]

Gotthard axis

Called "the project of the century", the Gotthard Base Tunnel is the first flat route through any major mountain range, from the northern plains (here in Erstfeld) to the southern plains. In the background here looms the majestic 3,073-metre-high (10,082 ft) Bristen mountain.

The Gotthard axis consists of the Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT), the partially operational Zimmerberg Base Tunnel, the Ceneri Base Tunnel (CBT), and surface connections. It was built by AlpTransit Gotthard under contract from the Swiss Federal Government. The axis is the first flat trans-alpine rail link, with a maximum elevation of 550 metres (1,800 ft) above sea level.

This enables a high-speed link through the Alps with a top speed of 250 km/h (160 mph), reducing travel time between Zürich and Milan from previously four hours to currently three-and-a-half hours.[1][14][15][16]

The 57.1-kilometre (35.5 mi) Gotthard Base Tunnel is the world's longest and deepest traffic tunnel,[17][18][19] as was the original 15-kilometre (9.3 mi) Gotthard Tunnel at its completion in 1881. It consists of two parallel single-track tunnels, connected by 178 cross-connections. There are two emergency stations in each tunnel, each connected to the corresponding opposite-tunnel emergency station. These stations are equipped with water supplies to refill firefighter and rescue trains. One (Porta Alpina) was proposed as an 800m deep rail station, but that proposal was rejected on both economic and technical grounds. AlpTransit Gotthard handed the completed tunnel over to the Swiss government on 31 May 2016. It was formally opened in a ceremony the next day, during which the tunnel was conveyed to its operator: Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS).[20][21]

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, Domodossola and Milan. The tunnel replaces the existing higher-altitude 1913 14.6-kilometre (9.1 mi) Lötschberg Tunnel for most traffic. The 34.6-kilometre-long (21.5 mi) 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,[1][22][23] but the 21 kilometres (13 mi) of single track without passing loops complicates operations and greatly reduces the line capacity. Trains are scheduled by batches in each direction and separated by long intervals; trains more than seven minutes late are routed via the 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.[24] The resulting plan was presented in Spring 2019, with options of either only fitting out the existing 14 km of unequipped tunnels or fully completing the second tube.[25] In early-2024 the choice was made to go for the full option, with an estimated cost of CHF 1.7 billion[5] and an expected delivery date of 2033.[6] It 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.[26]

The second part of the Lötschberg axis is the Simplon Tunnel, completed in 1905 as a 20-kilometre-long (12 mi) single-track base tunnel and augmented with a second bore in 1921. It connects Upper Valais to Northern Italy's Piedmont region.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Overview". AlpTransit Portal. Berne, Switzerland: Federal Swiss Archives FSA, Federal Office of Transport FOT. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  2. ^ "Construction". AlpTransit Portal. Berne, Switzerland: Federal Swiss Archives FSA, Federal Office of Transport FOT. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  3. ^ a b Thomas Müller; Isidor Baumann (29 April 2016). "Oberaufsicht über den Bau der Neat im Jahre 2015: Bericht der Neat-Aufsichtsdelegation der eidgenössischen Räte zuhanden der Finanzkommissionen, der Geschäftsprüfungskommissionen und der Kommissionen für Verkehr und Fernmeldewesen" (PDF). Fedlex (in German, French, and Italian). p. 6686. BBl 2016 6665 (-6732). Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  4. ^ "The Gotthard Base Tunnel". Luzern, Switzerland: AlpTransit Gotthard AG. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  5. ^ a b "BLS is upgrading the Lötschberg Base Tunnel". www.bls.ch.
  6. ^ a b "Plans for Further Development of the Lötschberg Base Tunnel Enter Next Stage". www.tunnel-online.info.
  7. ^ "Agreement with Europe". AlpTransit Portal. Berne, Switzerland: Federal Swiss Archives FSA, Federal Office of Transport FOT. 2 May 1992. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  8. ^ a b "Yes to the NRLA". AlpTransit Portal. Berne, Switzerland: Federal Swiss Archives FSA, Federal Office of Transport FOT. 27 September 1992. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  9. ^ a b "The end of the 28-tonne limit". AlpTransit Portal. Berne, Switzerland: Federal Swiss Archives FSA, Federal Office of Transport FOT. 21 May 2000. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  10. ^ a b "Yes to the Alps Initiative". AlpTransit Portal. Berne, Switzerland: Federal Swiss Archives FSA, Federal Office of Transport FOT. 24 February 1994. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  11. ^ "Green light for the network option". AlpTransit Portal. Berne, Switzerland: Federal Swiss Archives FSA, Federal Office of Transport FOT. 20 February 1995. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  12. ^ "Transport policy as financial policy". AlpTransit Portal. Berne, Switzerland: Federal Swiss Archives FSA, Federal Office of Transport FOT. 29 May 1995. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  13. ^ "Yes to public transport funding". AlpTransit Portal. Berne, Switzerland: Federal Swiss Archives FSA, Federal Office of Transport FOT. 29 November 1998. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  14. ^ "Results for Gotthard". AlpTransit Portal. Berne, Switzerland: Federal Swiss Archives FSA, Federal Office of Transport FOT. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  15. ^ "Gotthard Base Tunnel: Tunnel technology for the future" (PDF). Heerbrugg, Switzerland: Leica Geosystems. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  16. ^ Shafy, Samiha (31 December 2006). "Elevator to the Underworld". Der Spiegel. Hamburg, Germany. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  17. ^ "Gotthard- und CeneriBasistunnel: die neue Gotthard-Bahn nimmt Gestalt an" (PDF). Geomatik Schweiz. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  18. ^ "Wer hat die grösste Röhre?" [Who has the longest tube?]. Tages-Anzeiger (graphical animation) (in German). Zürich, Switzerland. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  19. ^ "Gotthard tunnel: World's longest and deepest rail tunnel opens in Switzerland". BBC News. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  20. ^ "High-profile guests at the opening ceremony". AlpTransit Portal. Berne, Switzerland: Federal Swiss Archives FSA, Federal Office of Transport FOT. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  21. ^ "Festival marks Gotthard Base Tunnel opening". Railway Gazette. DVV Media UK Ltd. 1 June 2016. Archived from the original on 1 June 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  22. ^ "Results for Lötschberg". AlpTransit Portal. Berne, Switzerland: Federal Swiss Archives FSA, Federal Office of Transport FOT. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  23. ^ "The Lötschberg enters operation". AlpTransit Portal. Berne, Switzerland: Federal Swiss Archives FSA, Federal Office of Transport FOT. 9 December 2007. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  24. ^ "Planning contract awarded for Lötschberg Base Tunnel track doubling". 1 February 2016.
  25. ^ "Lötschberg plans full rail baseline finish". www.tunneltalk.com.
  26. ^ "Lötschberg Base Tunnel Upgrade Enters Next Stage". railway-news.com.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alptransit.

Read other articles:

Butch Hartman

Butch HartmanHartman pada tahun 2020LahirElmer Earl Hartman IV10 Januari 1965 (umur 59)Highland Park, Michigan, Amerika SerikatPendidikanAnchor Bay High SchoolAlmamaterCalifornia Institute of the ArtsPekerjaanAnimator, penulis, produser, sutradara, pengisi suaraTahun aktif1986–sekarangKarya terkenalThe Fairly OddParentsDanny PhantomT.U.F.F. PuppyBunsen Is a BeastSuami/istriJulieann Hartman ​(m. 1992)​Anak2 Elmer Earl Butch Hartman IV (lahir 10 Januari...

 

FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup

2005 video gameFIFA 06: Road to FIFA World CupCover art featuring RonaldinhoDeveloper(s)EA CanadaPublisher(s)EA SportsSeriesFIFAFIFA World CupPlatform(s)Xbox 360ReleaseNA: 22 November 2005EU: 2 December 2005JP: 10 December 2005KOR: 25 February 2006[1][better source needed]Genre(s)SportsMode(s)Single player, multiplayer, multiplayer online FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup is a video game developed by EA Sports and DICE for the Xbox 360. The game is an officially licen...

 

Ralph Nelson

Untuk pemain sepak bola Amerika Serikat, lihat Ralph Nelson (pemain sepak bola Amerika Serikat). Artikel ini membutuhkan rujukan tambahan agar kualitasnya dapat dipastikan. Mohon bantu kami mengembangkan artikel ini dengan cara menambahkan rujukan ke sumber tepercaya. Pernyataan tak bersumber bisa saja dipertentangkan dan dihapus.Cari sumber: Ralph Nelson – berita · surat kabar · buku · cendekiawan · JSTOR (March 2016) Ralph NelsonPortrait of Ralph Nel...

Ludvig Holberg

Ludvig HolbergLahir(1684-12-03)3 Desember 1684Bergen, Denmark-Norwegia (sekarang Norwegia)Meninggal28 Januari 1754(1754-01-28) (umur 69)Kopenhagen, Denmark-Norwegia (sekarang Denmark)Pekerjaan Penulis penulis esai filsuf sejarawan dramawan KebangsaanNorwegia[1]KewarganegaraanDenmark-Norwegia[2]Tanda tangan Ludvig Holberg, Baron of Holberg (3 Desember 1684 – 28 Januari 1754) adalah seorang penulis, penulis esai, filsuf, sejarawan dan penulis drama yang...

 

Chartres-de-Bretagne

Pour les articles homonymes, voir Chartres. Chartres-de-Bretagne L'église Notre-Dame. Blason Logo Administration Pays France Région Bretagne Département Ille-et-Vilaine Arrondissement Rennes Intercommunalité Rennes Métropole Maire Mandat Philippe Bonnin (DVG) 2020-2026 Code postal 35131 Code commune 35066 Démographie Gentilé Chartrains Populationmunicipale 8 237 hab. (2021 ) Densité 816 hab./km2 Population agglomération 395 710 hab. Géographie Coordonnées ...

 

Scottish Division One 1958-1959

Scottish Division One 1958-1959 Competizione Scottish Division One Sport Calcio Edizione 62ª Organizzatore SFL Date dal 20 agosto 1958al 21 aprile 1959 Luogo  Scozia Partecipanti 18 Formula Girone all'italiana A/R Risultati Vincitore Rangers(31º titolo) Retrocessioni FalkirkQueen of the South Statistiche Miglior marcatore Joe Baker (25) Incontri disputati 306 Gol segnati 1 195 (3,91 per incontro) Cronologia della competizione 1957-58 1959-60 Manuale La Scottish ...

Wilfred Patrick Thesiger

Wilfred Thesiger durante la seconda traversata dell'Empty Quarter.[1] Sir Wilfred Patrick Thesiger (Addis Abeba, 3 giugno 1910 – Londra, 24 agosto 2003) è stato un esploratore e scrittore britannico nato in Etiopia. Wilfred Thesiger nel 1934 Anche chiamato col nome arabo di Mubarak bin Landan (in lettere arabe: مُبَارَك بِن لَنْدَن, ossia il benedetto di Londra) fu un ufficiale militare. I suoi libri di viaggi più famosi includono Sabbie Arabe (1959), compiuto a ...

 

Navy Supply Corps

Logistics-focused staff corps of the United States Navy U.S. Navy Supply CorpsSupply Corps Oakleaf insigniaActive23 February 1795 – presentCountryUnited States of AmericaAllegiance U.S.BranchU.S. Navy (Active & Reserve Component)TypeStaff CorpsRoleSustain U.S. Navy and U.S. Military Operations worldwideSize~2200 Supply Officers (May 2018)Part ofNaval Supply Systems CommandNickname(s)Suppo, Chop'’Motto(s)Ready for SeaAnniversaries23 FebruaryEngagementsEvery U.S. engagement since t...

 

Pemerintahan sipil-militer (Ukraina)

Pemerintahan sipil-militerВійськово-цивільні адміністраціїLogo Pusat Anti-Teroris dari Dinas Keamanan UkrainaPemerintahan terkonsentrasi di Zona Operasi Anti-Teroris, diberi warna merah jambu dan kuning.LetakUkrainaDibentuk diOblast Donetsk dan LuhanskDibentuk olehVerkhovna Rada law No.141-VIIIAdopted on 26 February 2015[1]Jumlah wilayah14[2] (hingga 3 Maret 2015)Status tambahanUnit pemerintahan lokal Pemerintahan sipil-militer (Ukr...

أتراك

هذه المقالة عن المجموعة العرقية الأتراك وليس عن من يحملون جنسية الجمهورية التركية أتراكTürkler (بالتركية) التعداد الكليالتعداد 70~83 مليون نسمةمناطق الوجود المميزةالبلد  القائمة ... تركياألمانياسورياالعراقبلغارياالولايات المتحدةفرنساالمملكة المتحدةهولنداالنمساأسترالي�...

 

爱德华·谢瓦尔德纳泽

爱德华·谢瓦尔德纳泽ედუარდ შევარდნაძე第2任格鲁吉亚總統任期1995年11月26日—2003年11月23日前任茲維亞德·加姆薩胡爾季阿继任米哈伊尔·萨卡什维利苏联外交部部长任期1985年7月2日—1990年12月20日总书记米哈伊尔·戈尔巴乔夫前任安德烈·葛罗米柯继任亚历山大·别斯梅尔特内赫 个人资料出生(1928-01-25)1928年1月25日苏联外高加索苏维埃联邦社会主义共和国古...

 

Captain Kirk Douglas

American guitarist and singer For the actor, see Kirk Douglas. Captain Kirk DouglasDouglas in 2008Background informationBirth nameKirk DouglasBorn (1973-09-30) September 30, 1973 (age 50)OriginLong Island, New York, U.S.GenresHip hop, Neo soul, Soul, Funk, R&B, Alternative rock, PopOccupationsMusician, SongwriterInstrumentsGuitar, Ukulele, VocalsYears active1993–presentMusical artist Captain Kirk Douglas (born September 30, 1973) is an American guitarist and singer who performs wit...

كلية الحاسبات والذكاء الاصطناعي (جامعة بنها)

يفتقر محتوى هذه المقالة إلى الاستشهاد بمصادر. فضلاً، ساهم في تطوير هذه المقالة من خلال إضافة مصادر موثوق بها. أي معلومات غير موثقة يمكن التشكيك بها وإزالتها. (سبتمبر_2012)   لمعانٍ أخرى، طالع كلية الحاسبات والذكاء الاصطناعي (توضيح).   لمعانٍ أخرى، طالع كلية الحاسبات �...

 

Методологія

Методологія (грец. μεθοδολογία — вчення про метод) — сукупність прийомів дослідження, що застосовуються в науці; вчення про методи пізнання та перетворення дійсності[1]. Основу методології складає мислення та світогляд, як операційне середовище самодисципліни та...

 

NGC 4274

NGC 4274 المكتشف ويليام هيرشل  تاريخ الاكتشاف 13 مارس 1785  رمز الفهرس NGC 4274 (الفهرس العام الجديد)PGC 39724 (فهرس المجرات الرئيسية)2MASX J12195066+2936529 (Two Micron All-Sky Survey, Extended source catalogue)MCG+05-29-060 (فهرس المجرات الموروفولوجي)IRAS F12173+2953 (IRAS)IRAS 12173+2953 (IRAS)UGC 7377 (فهرس أوبسالا العام)Z 158-71 (فهرس المجرات وعن...

Agriculture in Cuba

Development of agricultural output of Cuba in 2015 US$ since 1961 A sugarcane plantation in rural Cuba Agriculture in Cuba has played an important part in the economy for several hundred years. Today, it contributes less than 10% to the gross domestic product (GDP), but it employs about 20% of the working population. About 30% of the country's land is used for crop cultivation.[1] History Cuba's agricultural history can be divided into five periods, reflecting Cuban history in general...

 

Cold War (1948–1953)

Phase of the Cold War 1953 World Map of alignments. Part of a series onHistory of the Cold War Origins World War II Hiroshima and Nagasaki Eastern Bloc Western Bloc Iron Curtain Periods Cold War (1947–1948) Cold War (1948–1953) Cold War (1953–1962) Cold War (1962–1979) Cold War (1979–1985) Cold War (1985–1991) Frozen conflicts Related topics Arab Cold War Cold War in Asia Historiography List of related conflicts Post-Soviet conflicts Reagan Doctrine Second Cold War Timeline of eve...

 

Thailand national under-20 football team

National association football team This article uses bare URLs, which are uninformative and vulnerable to link rot. Please consider converting them to full citations to ensure the article remains verifiable and maintains a consistent citation style. Several templates and tools are available to assist in formatting, such as reFill (documentation) and Citation bot (documentation). (August 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Thailand Under-20Nickname(s)ช้างศึก(The War...

雪月花

此條目没有列出任何参考或来源。 (2013年12月7日)維基百科所有的內容都應該可供查證。请协助補充可靠来源以改善这篇条目。无法查证的內容可能會因為異議提出而被移除。 雪月花（讀法為せつげつか或せつげっか）是日本的慣用語之一，代表自然界的美麗景物，和語叫「月雪花（つきゆきはな）」。其典故出自中國唐朝詩人白居易的七言律詩《寄殷協律》： 五歲優游同�...

 

Polikarpov I-180

I-180 I-180-3 prototype Role FighterType of aircraft Manufacturer Polikarpov Designer Nikolai Nikolaevich Polikarpov First flight 15 December 1938 Status Cancelled Primary user Soviet Air Forces Produced 1938–1940 Number built 10 production + 3 prototypes Developed from Polikarpov I-16 Developed into Polikarpov I-185 The Polikarpov I-180 (Russian: И-180) was a 1938 Soviet fighter prototype. It was the last attempt to extract performance from the basic Polikarpov I-16 design.[1 ...