For decades, the Gotthard Road Tunnel has played an important role in Europe’s north-south traffic through the Alps. Currently, the existing tunnel is being renovated to enable separate traffic flow in each direction starting in 2033. To accomplish this goal, a second tube measuring 16.9 km is being built through the hard rock. Due to the rock characteristics, the fault zones were excavated using conventional blasting before starting the mechanized main tunnel drive. In order to reach the fault zones in the mountain, access tunnels were driven through the rock and completed in April 2023 (Gripper TBM, north) and August 2023 (Single Shield TBM, south). This paved the way for the start of the two big tunnel boring machines in the main tunnel drive. Herrenknecht is not only supplying the tunnel boring machines but also providing full service throughout the project. Herrenknecht is supplying the tunnel boring machines and providing full service throughout the project. An experienced service team from Herrenknecht has been assigned to support the contracting joint venture, Secondo Tubo (Implenia Schweiz AG & Frutiger AG), in the north throughout the entire project phase to ensure the mechanized tunnelling operation runs smoothly.
FULL SERVICE FOR 16.9 KM
Factory acceptance: starting point for our service team
In July 2024, an important project milestone was reached at the Schwanau plant: machine acceptance. The machine was made available for inspection and testing by the customer, and all key issues were addressed and clarified directly. This acceptance test ensured that each component is capable of withstanding alpine conditions.
Extensive support from start to finish
From planning and assembly to maintenance, repairs, and spare parts supply, Herrenknecht’s experts are available every step of the way. Our service concept is designed to ensure smooth operations, contributing to the efficiency and safety of the process.
A logistical masterpiece in transportation
Timely delivery of all TBM components was key to the project’s success. In close cooperation with local transportation companies, the machines and components were safely transported by land to the jobsite in the Alps. Precise coordination of these transports was crucial to ensuring the on-time assembly of the machines.
Big lift – 350 tonnes of precision
The highlight of the assembly process was the big lift of the 350-tonne cutterhead. From planning to execution, Herrenknecht’s service team coordinated every step of the operation with the utmost care. The cutterhead was accurately positioned down to the last millimeter. This procedure required maximum precision, experience, and teamwork — a logistical masterpiece in tunnelling.
Tunnelling starts on point
The excavation of the second tube began in February 2025, when the TBM was commissioned. A combination of careful preparation, continuous service support, and collaborative cooperation with the customer is ensuring that the tunnelling proceeds on schedule.
Further information about the project can be found here: Second Gotthard Road Tunnel
| Second Gotthard Road Tunnel tube | |
|---|---|
| Client | Swiss Federal Roads Office ASTRA |
| Application | Road |
| Geology | Granite, gneiss, slate |
| LOT 243 and 241 (NORTH) | |
|---|---|
| Contractor | ARGE secondo tubo (Implenia Schweiz AG, Frutiger AG; Los 243 with Webuild SA and CSC costruzioni SA) |
| Tunnelling length | 3,940 m (access tunnel) + 6,885 m (main tunnel) |
| Machine data | Machine type: Gripper TBM Diameter: 7,030 mm Cutterhead drive power: 2,800 kW Torque: 4,408 kNm Machine type: Single Shield TBM Diameter: 12,225 mm Cutterhead drive power: 5,250 kW Torque: 26,767 kNm |
| LOT 343 and 341 (SOUTH) | |
|---|---|
| Contractor | Marti Tunnel AG |
| Tunnelling length | 5,000 m (access tunnel) + 7,755 m (main tunnel) |
| Machine data | Machine type: Single Shield TBM Diameter: 7,400 mm Cutterhead drive power: 2,800 kW Torque: 4,375 kNm Machine type: Single Shield TBM Diameter: 12,310 mm Cutterhead drive power: 5,600 kW Torque: 28,552 kNm |