A new tunnel inaugurated in Alps. This new 57km long tunnel disappears Alps from railway maps. From now on movement of people and goods from North to South will be easier. Angela Merkel, Francois Hollande and Matteo Renci travelled together with 1000 passengers in this new trip. In the attached image, the first train, that comes out of Gotthard tunnel is shown.

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Construction of the tunnel started in 1982. A rule that prohibited freight trains from passing through Alps accelerated the construction. It took 17 years and 12,2 billion to build this innovative tunnel. It will serves two passenger and six freight trains per hour and the operation speed will be up to 250 km/h for passenger trains. Because of the lower slope freight trains will transfer almost 44% more tonnage.

Since now, trains had to travel in a 1500meter altitude. In this new tunnel trains have to "climb" in only 550meters. Finally lot of innovative systems have been implemented for passenger safety. One of them includes a second railway line with an emergency locomotive.

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Source: Kathimerini

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The LIFE GYM [LIFE14 ENV/GR/000611] project is co-funded by the LIFE programme, the EU financial instrument for the environment.

 

The sole responsibility for the content of this report lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EASME nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

 

Start Date: 15 September 2015 – Duration: 35 months