Rail traffic towards Southern Europe - Gotthard railroad tunnel soon to be fully operational again
The tunnel damaged by derailment in the Swiss Gotthard-Eisenbahntunnel, which is the longest railway tunnel in the world, is expected to be fully operational again from September. The repair works are progressing well, according to railway company SBB, which announced this on a Thursday. The 57-kilometer long tunnel was put into operation in 2016. Trains can travel through the tunnel at up to 230 kilometers per hour.
Good news for travelers on the Frankfurt - Milan route
On August 10, 2023, a goods train derailed in this tunnel. No one was injured in the incident. However, the tracks and other infrastructure were severely damaged. The SBB reported damages amounting to 150 million Swiss Francs. Since then, operations have been restricted and many trains have been rerouted. This has extended the journey time between the North and South sides of the Alps by an hour. From September 2, operations are expected to resume fully. The Frankfurt-Zurich-Milan route will also be served again.
- Despite the derailment incident in the Berne-located Gotthard-Eisenbahntunnel, which connects Southern Europe, the repairs on the railroad tunnel are proceeding as planned by SBB, with a projected completion date in September.
- The railroad tunnel incident, resulting in a derailment and substantial damages worth 150 million Swiss Francs, has caused temporary setbacks in rail traffic through the Swiss Alps, affecting journeys between Northern and Southern Europe.
- Travelers on the Frankfurt - Milan route, affected by the derailment-induced disruptions in the Gotthard-Eisenbahntunnel, will be pleased to know that regular operations are set to resume in September, thanks to the steady progress of repair works by SBB.
- The longevity of the Gotthard-Eisenbahntunnel, known as the longest railway tunnel in the world, has been showcased once again as the Swiss railway company, SBB, successfully undertakes the challenging repair works following the goods train derailment in 2023.
- Railways in Switzerland, such as the long-distance rail traffic operated by SBB, have often faced accidents and derailments but have continually managed to bounce back by investing in safety enhancements and efficient repair works, ensuring the continuity of rail traffic across the country.
