Project proponent AlpTransit Gotthard AG said that approximately 137 kilometres or almost 91 percent of the 151.8 kilometre Gotthard tunnel system has now been completed.
The “Gabi 2” 9.58 metre Gripper TBM excavated a stretch of 7.2 kilometres in 18 months, with the axis at destination only deviating 4 mm horizontally and 8 mm vertically from the target at the breakthrough point.
The TBM averaged a daily tunnelling performance through hard rock and mountain overburdens of up to 1,000 metres of approximately 18 metres, with 56 metres of excavated and secured tunnel, the best daily performance reached. This is deemed to be a world record for a tunnel boring machine of such dimensions.
The TBM “Gabi 1” had already completed tunnelling in the project’s eastern tube in June.
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The project’s main breakthrough between Sedrun and Faido is due to take place at the end of 2010 or the beginning of 2011. Train services are expected to begin at the end of 2017.
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