Early breakthrough at Gotthard base tunnelThe TBM Gabi I started driving southwards from Erstfeld on 4.12.2007. Some eighteen months later, and half a year earlier than planned, it reached its destination at Amsteg after 7.2 km. Breakthrough of the tunnel was achieved on 16.06.2009 with great accuracy: the deviation of 4 mm horizontally and 8 mm vertically was minimal. The machine will now be dismantled and transported away. By 01.06.2009, the west TBM Gabi II had driven 5,742 m or 80 %. Of the 153.5 km of the tunnel system under the Gotthard, 133 km (or 87%) have now been excavated. According to the construction programme, the final breakthrough between Sedrun and Faido will take place at the beginning of 2011. Click ch/52 and visit www.alptransit.ch and www.agn-amsteg.ch. 25/09. AlpTransit San Gottardo SA