The NRLA, known as the Swiss New Rail Link through the Alps, is a groundbreaking railway project that includes three tunnels constructed beneath the Alps in Switzerland. While two of the tunnels have been completed, one is currently undergoing significant expansion work. The network features the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world’s longest railway tunnel, as well as the Ceneri Base Tunnel and the Lötschberg Base Tunnel. Although the NRLA was finished in 2020, the Lötschberg Base Tunnel expansion is expected to be completed by 2035.
The overall cost of the project is about 12.2 billion Swiss francs (£11.3 billion), aiming to reduce road traffic and minimize environmental impact. The Swiss New Rail Link connects eight cities across two countries, including Zurich, Basel, Lugano, Bellinzona, Lucerne, and Bern in Switzerland, and Milan and Genoa in Italy.
Over the years, Switzerland has constructed more than 1,400 tunnels, totaling 2,000 kilometers (1,242 miles) underground. The Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy, and Communications described the NRLA as the largest Swiss railway construction project in history. The Gotthard Base Tunnel, which is 57 kilometers long, commenced operations in 2016 after 17 years of construction.
The Ceneri Base Tunnel, measuring 15.4 kilometers, is the third-largest project within the NRLA. Plans are in place to expand the Lötschberg Base Tunnel to double tracks by 2034, increasing capacity and enhancing operational efficiency. This expansion will allow for a continuous half-hourly passenger service.
Another significant ongoing project is the Brenner Base Tunnel (BBT), which will connect Austria and Italy.