Ceneri Base Tunnel: breakthrough in the west tube between Sigirino and Vezia

Thirteen months ahead of schedule, the first breakthrough to the south took place in the west tube of the Ceneri Base Tunnel. The final breakthrough to the north is planned for the beginning of 2016. The Ceneri Base Tunnel will become operational at the end of 2019.
Breakthrough in the southbound east tube is scheduled for the end of March 2015. Driving in the northbound tubes is still progressing at full speed. Until the breakthrough point at Vigana, the distance remaining to be excavated in the west tube is around 1,500 metres and in the east tube around 2,000 metres.
“This first breakthrough in the Ceneri Base Tunnel is a further important milestone in the construction of the New Rail Link through the Alps. Only with the 15.4-kilometres-long base tunnel under Monte Ceneri will the continuous flat route from Altdorf to Lugano become reality,” Renzo Simoni, Chief Executive Officer of AlpTransit Gotthard Ltd said.