#Gotthard Base Tunnel

[greenbagjosh]

Days 11 to 13 04 August 2004 - across the Polentagraben to Zug and across the Roestigraben to Geneva, and back in time for the Street Parade 2004

Wednesday

04 August 2004

Hi everyone! Today we leave the Ticino and cross the "Polentagraben" for Zug, going through Lucerne, changing at Arth-Goldau. We explore Zug for a bit, do the laundry at the hostel, take a ride to Geneva by crossing the "Roestigraben" between Bern and Fribourg, a tram to Moillesullaz and walk to Gaillard in France, and eat in Zurich before returning to Zug for the night. Hope you will join me.

Dia duit gach duine! Sa lá atá inniu ann fágann muid an Ticino agus trasnaímid an "polentagraben" do Zug, ag dul trí Lucerne, ag athrú ag Arth-Goldau. Déanaimid iniúchadh ar Zug ar feadh tamaill, déanaimid an níocháin ag an mbrú, tóg turas go dtí an Ghinéiv trí thrasnú an "roestigraben" idir Bern agus Friborg, tram go Millesullaz agus siúl go Gaillard sa Fhrainc, agus ithe i Zurich sula bhfillfidh tú ar Zug le haghaidh Zug le haghaidh an oíche. Tá súil agam go dtiocfaidh tú liom.

Ciao a tutti! Oggi lasciamo il Ticino e attraversiamo il "Polentagraben" per Zug, attraversando Lucerna, cambiando ad Arth-GoldAu. Esploriamo Zug per un po ', facciamo il lavanderia all'ostello, facciamo un giro a Ginevra attraversando il "roestigraben" tra Bern e Friborg, un tram per Moillesullaz e cammina per Gaillard in Francia la notte. Spero che ti unirai a me.

Salut tout le monde! Aujourd'hui, nous quittons le Ticino et traversons le "Polentagraben" pour Zug, passant par Lucerne, changeant à Arth-Goldau. Nous explorons un peu Zug, faisons la lessive à l'auberge, faisons un tour à Genève en traversant le "roestigraben" entre Bern et Friborg, un tram la nuit. J'espère que vous vous rejoindrez.

Hallo allerseits! Heute verlassen wir den Ticino und überqueren das "Polentagraben" für Zug, durch Luzern und wechseln in Arth-Goldau. Wir erforschen Zug für ein bisschen, waschen im Hostel, fahren nach Genf, indem wir das "Roestigraben" zwischen Bern und Friborg überqueren, eine Straßenbahn nach Moillesullaz und gehen nach Gaillard in Frankreich, bevor sie nach Zug zurückkehren die Nacht. Ich hoffe, Sie werden sich mir anschließen.

Wednesday 4th August 2004, I woke up about 6:30 AM, checked my essential remaining clean clothes, and they were dry enough for the day. I took a shower and packed up before going down for breakfast. I checked out and took bus line 2 to the rail station. I boarded a 10 AM train for Arth Goldau via Bellinzona. It was another Cisalpino train. The train did not go through the Gotthard base tunnel, as in 2004 it was only under construction at the time. The only intermediate stop was Bellinzona, and at the time, there was no Ceneri base tunnel, so the train went along the steeper decline near Cadenazzo. We went through the corkscrew at Viadotto della Biaschina, and as high as Airolo and went through the St. Gotthard tunnel to Goeschenen, on the other side of the Polentagraben, which is the boundary between the Italian and the German-speaking parts of Switzerland. The train went down the mountain to Erstfeld, Altdorf, Flueelen, Brunnen, Schwyz and stopped only in Arth-Goldau. The Arth-Goldau station is like a triangle, the trains going to the right going to Zug and eventually Zurich, the left going to Luzern.

Leaving Arth-Goldau, the train went along the west bank of the Zuger See to Kussnacht. It turned southwest to Luzern, passing the Verkehrshaus, otherwise known as the Transit Museum of Switzerland. I alighted from the train, put my wheeled bag in a locker and walked around the Kapellbruecke and SBB rail station. I did not walk very far. I was waiting for a train to Zug. About 2:30 PM, I took the train from Luzern to Zug, passing Root and Cham. Zug is a triangle station, similar to Arth-Goldau.

I took a local bus from the rail station to the hostel. I did not know at the time, that the hostel was located close to the Schutzengel commuter rail station. At the hostel, I asked for the laundry, and I was able to have my laundry washed there. All my dirty laundry would finally be washed, and dried, for a single price. After I had finished the wash and rinse cycle, I put my laundry in the dryer, and went off to Wirtschaft Brandenberg nearby, on Allmendstrasse. I had at least a glass of Eichhof and some food. I got a headache and went back to my room after collecting the dried laundry. I lied down for an hour after taking aspirin. Then I took a bus ride, and ended up in neighboring Baar to the northeast. I was a bit lost, but found my way back to the bus stop going back to Zug. Along the way, I saw a Mitsubishi dealership, that was selling compact cars. One of them was the Colt of the "Z30" series, that appeared to share components from the second generation Fiat Punto. Locally it was built in the Netherlands.

I came back in the direction of Metalli before heading back to the hostel to sleep. When I was trying to sleep, I heard some fireworks. Those were leftover fireworks from the previous days' Nationaltag.

On Thursday, 5th August 2004, I woke up about 6:30 AM, took a shower and went for breakfast. In the breakfast room, was a large group of disabled people from the Netherlands coming to visit Switzerland. They happened to pick the 4th and 5th August of that year to stop in Zug. They had a big bus with Dutch registration. I am not sure where they were going that day. All I know, is that everyone was happy to be able to leave the Netherlands and have a nice time in Switzerland.

Breakfast included toast, butter, cheese, cold cuts, jam, coffee and orange juice. I was done about 8 AM, and was ready to take the bus to Zug station and on to Geneva via Zurich and Bern. That was the fastest way at the time. I had a bit of a challenge with the ticket machine at the hostel bus stop, though I could have walked to Schutzengel, and rode with my Eurail Pass and not bought a bus pass at all. Once the bus came, I told the driver that the ticket machine was not working. That helped, because after Aabachstrasse, the bus inspectors boarded. The bus driver told the inspector that I was okay, and they let me ride to the rail station without incident.

At Zug, I boarded the Intercity train to Zurich HB, making no stops in between, even at Thalwil. The train passed through Baar and Thalwil, and went all the way through the Zimmerberg tunnel, and I could not see Wollishofen or Lake Zurich as a result. The train emerged at Enge and again at Wiedikon, before ending at Zurich HB. I saw the big "ZURICH" sign and clock. I think it was around 10 AM when the train arrived. I was able to catch the connecting train to Geneva, stopping at Bern, Fribourg and Lausanne.

The train for Geneva left about 10:30 AM. It passed through Lenzburg, Aarau, Daeniken, Dulliken, stopped at Bern, crossed the Roestigraben after Duedingen, stopped at Fribourg, then Lausanne and Geneva CFF. The Roestigraben is the linguistic boundary between the German- and French-speaking parts of Switzerland. Between Neyruz FR and Oron VD, the countryside is very nice. I had been there as early as September 2000, and maybe three more times, in April 2001, November 2002 and August 2003. The train went through a tunnel, and emerged at Puidoux VD. There, the train ha a nice view of Lake Geneva. The train descended west-northwest to Pully and Lausanne.

The train arrived about 12:15 PM at Geneva CFF. Geneva CFF is a large rail station, about as large as Zurich HB. I had to buy a day pass for the tram, as the RER did not go to either Gaillard or Annemasse at the time. I took a tram to Plainpalais, then another to Moillesullaz. At the time, the tram terminated at Moillesullaz, but has since been extended to the Annemasse SNCF rail station. At the border with France, I had my passport handy, then walked to the SPAR grocery store at 118 Rue de Geneve, close to what would eventually be the Gaillard Liberation tram stop. I bought some andouille sausage, goat cheese, baguette bread and vanilla waffles. I would eat those later in the day.

Returning to Switzerland at the Moillesullaz tram stop, I took the tram to Molard, then walked to the Pont du Mont Blanc to see the Jardin Anglais and the Horologe Fleurie, the flower clock. Every year, the layout is different. I walked also to the Promenade du Lac to see the Jet d'Eau. That is the big water fountain at the end of Lake Geneva. I was watching the top of the water, and zoomed in with my camera watching how the water at the top started to fall. Before going back to the rail station, I ate a sandwich made with the andouille, goat cheese and baguette. I had some of my vanilla waffles, but had to put them away after eating one, because I got a severe sugar rush from them. Otherwise they were good.

About 5 PM I arrived back at the Geneva CFF rail station. I was about ready to return to Geneva. I saw the RER train, and its final destination was La Plaine, just a mile away from the international border with France. The train to Zurich would be leaving about 5:45 PM. The journey to Zurich took about two and a half hours. The train arrived in Zurich about 8:15 PM, and the sun was still shining.

I walked to Central and went on the Niederdorferstrasse. I went to my favorite restaurant (the Bierhalle Wolf is my other favorite restaurant, which has more of a Hofbrauhaus kind of vibe), for a large Feldschloesschen beer and a Zurcher G'Schnetzeltes, pork chunks in mushroom gravy, with Roesti. Roesti are shredded potatoes. The Roestigraben is sort of a boundary where Roesti is not served, generally not served in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, but is a staple in the German-speaking part. I enjoyed my G'Schnetzeltes with Roesti and beer, paid and left for Zug. The bus was still running at Zug. I took the bus to the hostel, went to my room and went to sleep.

Please join me for tomorrow's journey, when I visit Bern, and then be part of the Street Parade 2004 in Zurich for most of the day. Eventually we will go to Germany, so it's about two more days away. Hope you will join me then!

[nnctales]

Navigating the Depths: Unveiling the Intricacies of Tunnel Construction Works

Introduction Tunnel construction is a fascinating and complex realm within civil engineering, playing a crucial role in connecting regions, facilitating transportation, and overcoming geographical obstacles. As we delve into the depths of tunnel construction works, we uncover a world where engineering prowess meets geological challenges, creating passageways that redefine connectivity and…

[curiositasmundi]

Capricorno

22 dicembre – 19 gennaio

Il tunnel più lungo del mondo è il Gotthard Base Tunnel, lungo 57 km. Il tunnel metaforico che stai attraversando potrebbe sembrarti altrettanto interminabile, ma non lo è. Ecco le buone notizie: la luce alla fine del tunnel sarà visibile presto. E il tuo lento viaggio nel buio porterà a ricchi benefici entro il tuo compleanno.

[sbb-cff-ffs-official]

Great reporting on the Gotthard Base Tunnel accident! Highly suggest you give it a watch!

(Subtitles are available to auto-translate into a language other than German)

[mikimeiko]

Day 20 - From Germany, through Switzerland, towards home

I'm having breakfast peacefully when I get an alert from the train app that says that my train has been cancelled. Cancelled?! My 5 hours and a half train back home? What?!

And then I open the app, panic for a bit trying to understand how can I get to Basel (the train wasn't entirely cancelled and would start from there), and I realize that the alert framed the situation in the worst way possible, and there's actually a substitute train from here to Basel and I don't have to do anything? Come on! (I am of course happy that this is the case, but still annoyed at the unnecessary panic XD).

The tram stop near the train station is actually on a bridge that connects directly to the platforms, a really interesting solution for commuters who have to change here.

I arrive in Basel, and while still on the train there's an announcement that the passenger who are traveling onwards to Milan should get the train at the platform opposite the one where the train will arrive. I get on that train, but its destination is Lugano, not Milan? The route is the same, and I overhear other passengers saying that you have to change to Milan once in Lugano, but looking at the predicted arrival time in Lugano is more than half an hour later that it was supposed to arrive there? (Also, the stops are at the exact same time until Aldorf, then in Bellinzona is suddenly 40 minutes more? D:)

Using the VERY SLOW train wifi I managed to find out that the train will take longer because the Gotthard base tunnel is closed and the trains are being deviated on the panoramic route. On one hand I really didn't want to spend MORE time on the train today, but on the other a PANORAMIC route through THE ALPS? :D

I make the mistake of getting a coffee from the bistro of a SWISS TRAIN: 4,60 euro for an espresso is a new (horrifying) high XD

Ah, beautiful Alps, my babies, I missed you so. Even in this hazy light you are magnificent.

I do manage to get on the connecting train in Lugano and find a seat - and even though I'm still going backwards at least I am not on the on the side of the sun this time.

Also Lugano station is up on the mountain, and from there there's a beautiful view of the lake.

(no, this is not the view from Lugano station, this is the "back in Italy!" photo I sent my mum the second I had my data plan back XD)

From Milan central station I take a local train to go home and finally, finally!, there's proper air conditioning XD thank you Trenord for this welcome home gift XD

And that's a wrap on this not actually interrail, central European trip :D

[lothlorienlover]

The longest tunnel in the world is the Gotthard Base Tunnel, stretching an incredible 57 kilometers (about 35 miles) and running from Switzerland to Italy. This engineering marvel was constructed beneath the Swiss Alps and took 17 years to build, opening in 2016. The tunnel is not only the longest but also the deepest traffic tunnel in the world, reaching depths of up to 2,300 meters (7,500 feet) below the mountain peaks. It significantly reduces travel time between northern and southern Europe, making it a vital part of the continent's transportation infrastructure...

[autisticexpression2]

People who called the Olympics opening ceremony Satanic would not have survived the Gotthard base tunnel opening ceremony.

[leo-fie]

The Gotthard Base Rail Tunnel is indeed quite long. The longest even.

[rrconstructiondelhi]

What is the process of road construction?

Comprehensive Guide to the Road Construction Process (with Real-World Examples)

The road construction process is a detailed and strategic task that requires thorough planning, precise engineering, and a step-by-step approach to ensure safety, durability, and efficiency. Whether building highways, city streets, or rural roads, each phase is critical to delivering a reliable final product. This guide walks you through every stage of road construction, from the initial planning to the final paving, with real-world examples to illustrate how these principles are applied in practice.

Read Also:- Which Company is Best for Road Construction?

1. Planning and Design: Laying the Foundation

The first step in the road construction process is planning and designing the project, which lays the groundwork for a successful build. This stage ensures the road will meet safety requirements, budgetary constraints, and anticipated traffic demands.

Feasibility Study

A feasibility study is conducted to assess whether the project is practical. This involves:

Traffic Forecasting: Estimating future traffic flow.

Economic Impact: Weighing the road’s benefits (e.g., reduced travel times) against construction and maintenance costs.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Examining the effects on local ecosystems, water sources, and communities.

Example: The Yamuna Expressway in India underwent a feasibility study that highlighted its potential to significantly reduce travel time between Delhi and Agra, benefitting local businesses and boosting tourism.

Route Selection

After feasibility approval, the best route is chosen using tools like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which help identify obstacles (rivers, forests, etc.) and determine the most efficient and least disruptive path.

Road Design

Designers then determine critical factors like the number of lanes, road width, pavement type, and drainage systems. Important design considerations include:

Gradient: Ensuring safe slopes.

Curve Radius: Keeping bends safe for drivers.

Drainage: Preventing water buildup on the road surface.

Example: Germany’s Autobahn system is known for its precise engineering, with careful attention to gradient and curve design to ensure safety at high speeds.

2. Land Acquisition and Legal Approvals

Before construction can begin, the necessary land must be secured, and legal clearances must be obtained.

Land Acquisition

In many cases, governments must purchase private land to build roads. Landowners are compensated, but disputes over compensation can delay the project.

Example: The Nairobi-Mombasa Highway in Kenya faced delays due to land acquisition disputes, with local communities requesting higher compensation.

Permits and Approvals

Several approvals are needed before work starts, including:

Environmental Clearance: Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

Construction Permits: Authorization to begin work.

Utility Clearances: Arranging the relocation of utility lines (e.g., power, water, gas).

3. Site Preparation: Clearing and Grading

With permits in place, the physical work begins with preparing the site for construction.

Clearing and Grubbing

Land is cleared of trees, vegetation, rocks, and debris using heavy machinery, ensuring the site is ready for the next stage.

Earthworks

The land is then leveled through cut-and-fill techniques, where elevated areas are cut down and low areas are filled in to create a stable base for the road.

Example: The Gotthard Base Tunnel project in Switzerland involved extensive earthworks to flatten mountainous terrain for the road and rail infrastructure.

4. Subgrade Construction: Establishing the Foundation

The subgrade serves as the foundation of the road, and its strength is essential to the road’s longevity.

Subgrade Preparation

Heavy equipment compacts the soil, creating a solid foundation. If the soil isn’t properly compacted, the road may experience issues like settlement and cracking.

Soil Stabilization

If the subgrade soil is too weak, stabilizers like cement or lime are mixed in to enhance its strength.

Example: California’s Interstate 405 project used soil stabilization techniques to strengthen sandy subgrades, ensuring the road’s long-term durability.

5. Base Layers: Strengthening the Road Structure

After the subgrade is ready, the base layers are installed to provide additional strength and support for the road surface.

Base Course

The base course consists of materials like crushed stone or gravel, compacted to form a stable layer that distributes vehicle loads evenly.

Example: Engineers working on London’s North Circular Road used a thick base course to handle the demands of heavy urban traffic.

6. Paving: Completing the Road Surface

The final step is paving, where either asphalt or concrete is laid as the road surface.

Asphalt Paving

Asphalt, a mixture of bitumen, gravel, and sand, is the most common road surface material due to its flexibility, durability, and cost-effectiveness.

Example: The famous Route 66 in the U.S. was paved with asphalt, providing a smooth driving experience for long-distance travelers.

Concrete Paving

Concrete, though more expensive, is often used for roads with heavy traffic or those exposed to extreme weather conditions. Concrete roads are more rigid but generally require more maintenance than asphalt.

Conclusion

The road construction process is a highly organized, multi-step endeavor that ensures roads are built to last while prioritizing safety and functionality. From feasibility studies and design to land acquisition, site preparation, and paving, each stage is vital. Examples such as the Yamuna Expressway and the German Autobahn highlight the advanced engineering and planning that goes into constructing modern roads. Understanding this process is key to delivering successful and sustainable road projects, whether for major highways or smaller local roads.

[bondshotel]

The longest tunnel in the world is the Gotthard Base Tunnel, stretching an incredible 57 kilometers (about 35 miles) and running from Switzerland to Italy. This engineering marvel was constructed beneath the Swiss Alps and took 17 years to build, opening in 2016. The tunnel is not only the longest but also the deepest traffic tunnel in the world, reaching depths of up to 2,300 meters (7,500 feet) below the mountain peaks. It significantly reduces travel time between northern and southern Europe, making it a vital part of the continent's transportation infrastructure.

[antonjesus]

Gotthard Base Tunnel opening ceremony

[queerworldtravelers]

Milan, Italy

45°27'51" N, 9°11'22" E

After a month in Germany it was time to head to Italy! Our dear friend Ben inspired us to take the train and we decided to make our way from Königsfeld, Germany via the rails! What an adventure. Our first leg took us through the Gotthard base tunnel - the longest rail tunnel in the world. We made it all the way to Milan via Zürich, Switzerland and every train was on time, cozy, and filled with magic. Milan is epic and reminded us a lot of New York. We were hoping to upgrade some of our clothes until we discovered that the discounts in Milan mean price tags of 500€+. Wozers!

We only had a few days in Milan and somehow managed to score tickets to see The Last Supper and took the stairs to the roof of the Duomo. Both were pretty incredible, but our taste buds were rocked to life by the incredible food. Oh, Italy, you folks know how to cook! We stayed near the Central train station because we were in and out in just a few days and the Il Mercato Centrale was totally our wildest food dream! Focaccia pizza with anchovies, raisins, broccoli, and mozzarella?! YES! 1.5€ for a cappuccino?! YES! Porcini arancini?! YES! Also, we are still searching for the design firm behind the graphics at the location - if you know them we would love to say hi!

The rain was formidable and we have to report that we were dreaming of Gore-Tex rain jackets. We were grateful that the sky tears kept the crowds away and we were able to really enjoy the city of opulence and excess surrounded by hundreds of colorful umbrellas.

Armed with wi-fi Krystal submitted a request to the National Archives for a naturalization search on the federal level for her great grandmother. If nothing turns up we are on our way to compiling paperwork for Italian citizenship. Last, but not least, our hosts in Germany mentioned the EU laws for delayed flight when we mentioned our 5 hour delay from JFK to Frankfurt. It is absolutely real and by some magic our $150 tickets have turned into $1,300 in compensation. We would never recommend Condor Airlines, but if you have flexibility in your schedule and flying doesn’t scare you maybe give it a shot!

Enjoy a video reflection from our time:

JANUARY 4, 2023

[topviral]

Top 10 Largest Tunnels: Engineering Marvels

Welcome to our channel! In this captivating video, we take you on an incredible journey through the world’s top 10 most enormous tunnels. Join us as we explore these awe-inspiring engineering marvels, showcasing their grandeur and innovation. From the mind-bogglingly long Channel Tunnel to the iconic Gotthard Base Tunnel, we��ll dive deep into each tunnel’s history, construction, and significance.…

[swissforextrading]

Rail traffic resumes in Gotthard rail tunnel after fire

Freight trains have been circulating again in Switzerland's Gotthard Base Tunnel since 2pm on Monday. Rail traffic had been suspended for six hours after a vehicle caught fire early in the morning near the tunnel exit in southern Switzerland. Swiss public radio, SRF, reported on Monday that a vehicle belonging to a security firm had caught fire at around 8:20am at the end of the tunnel exit near Faido in canton Ticino. In all, 29 workers were evacuated on a rescue train. Ten of them had to be taken to hospital after inhaling smoke, the Ticino cantonal police said. Rail freight traffic was suspended for six hours. The cause of the fire is being investigated, the police told Keystone-SDA. + Gotthard Base Tunnel to fully resume service in September 2024 Since the freight train derailment inside the Gotthard Base Tunnel on August 10, 2023, access to the tunnel has been restricted. + Why is the Gotthard Base Tunnel so important? Typically, from Friday to Sunday evenings, only... https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/society/rail-traffic-resumes-in-gotthard-rail-tunnel-after-fire/49167396?utm_campaign=swi-rss&utm_source=multiple&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=o (Source of the original content)