Client:
Alp Transit Gotthard AG
Construction Period:
Lot 151 Erstfeld: 2007 – 2012
Lot 252 Amsteg: 2002 – 2009
City/Country:
Switzerland
Contract Value:
Lot 151 Erstfeld: CHF 461 million
Lot 252 Amsteg: CHF 651 million
Gotthard Base Tunnel (Amsteg – Erstfeld)
Switzerland
Through the heart of the Alps
Deep beneath the Alps, one of the world's most remarkable infrastructure projects took shape. As one of the longest railway tunnels in the world, the Gotthard Base Tunnel serves as a key transit route between Austria and Switzerland. Acting as the sole contractor, STRABAG delivered the two major sections at Amsteg and Erstfeld, completing approximately one third of the tunnel's total 57 kilometres length.
Construction began with drill-and-blast excavation to prepare the tunnel sections for the deployment of the tunnel boring machines (TBM). These TBMs played a pivotal role in excavating the primary tunnel segments. In Amsteg, two tubes with a length of 7,8 kilometres each were excavated through the mountain, while in Erstfeld, two additional tubes with a length of 11,3 kilometres each were constructed. The excavation works were further complemented by cross passages, tunnel branches, underground caverns, logistics galleries, and the 1.884-metre-long cable tunnel in the Amsteg section.
The scale of the project was extraordinary. A total of 2,76 million cubic metres of rock was excavated, while 880.000 cubic metres of concrete was placed for the tunnel lining. Excavated material was processed and reused as aggregate for shotcrete and concrete, contributing to efficient resource utilization. At the same time, 61 cross passages were constructed between the tunnel tubes and waterproofing membranes were installed across an area of 900.000 square metres.
At peak construction periods, around 600 people worked on this outstanding infrastructure project.
By successfully completing the Amsteg and Erstfeld lots, STRABAG delivered two of the project's key sections under demanding geological conditions.
Scope of Work
- TBM excavation of four single-track tubes
- Drill-and-blast excavation of tunnels, caverns and galleries
- Construction of 61 cross passages
- Excavation of the 1.884 m cable tunnel
- Installation of waterproofing membranes
- Concrete lining of tunnels and cross passages
