On the 29/09/2021 in Goeschenen and Airolo the works for the second tube of the Gotthard motorway tunnel were officially opened. This was a symbolic ceremony, because the original celebration was supposed to coincide with the first pickaxe strike in the spring of 2021 had to be postponed due to anti-COVID measures.

Important preliminary operations are already at an advanced stage: the relocation of the accesses to the infrastructural and service tunnel and to the construction site in the Stalvedro area, as well as the construction of the access tunnels to Goeschenen and Airolo.  

At the end of the ceremony, an explosive charge was blown to symbolize the displacement of the infrastructural and service tunnel (of which 130 m have already been excavated), marking the official launch of the site.  

Since 1980, the Gotthard motorway tunnel has connected Goeschenen in the Canton of Uri to Airolo in Canton Ticino. To ensure functionality and safety, it is necessary to completely renovate the first tunnel which, given the extent of the works, will be completely closed to traffic. 

On June 27, 2012, the Federal Council had chosen the "Construction of a second pipe with refurbishment of the existing one (without increasing capacity)", a decision confirmed at the polls on February 28, 2016 by 57% of the Swiss electorate, which thus conferred the mandate for its implementation to the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). The last breakthrough in the new tube is scheduled for 2026 and the inauguration is scheduled for 2029. 

Click here for a video, here and ch/50 for further details in the tunnelbuilder archive. Visit https://www.astra.admin.ch. 39/21.