Thales to deliver signalling system for southern Gotthard extension

Following completion of the Gotthard tunnel, AlpTransit Gotthard has awarded Thales a US$64 million (€57 million) signalling contract for the new Ceneri tunnel, the final section of the transalpine rail corridor that will link Zurich and Milan in less than three hours journey time. Located 25 km south of the Gotthard tunnel, the Ceneri Base Tunnel between Bellinzona and Lugano in Switzerland is 15.4 km long and, like the Gotthard tunnel, comprises two single-track tubes separated by a space of 40 metres
September 19, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Following completion of the Gotthard tunnel, AlpTransit Gotthard has awarded 596 Thales a US$64 million (€57 million) signalling contract for the new Ceneri tunnel, the final section of the transalpine rail corridor that will link Zurich and Milan in less than three hours journey time.

Located 25 km south of the Gotthard tunnel, the Ceneri Base Tunnel between Bellinzona and Lugano in Switzerland is 15.4 km long and, like the Gotthard tunnel, comprises two single-track tubes separated by a space of 40 metres.

Thales will provide its latest ETCS Level 2 train control technology and will have overall responsibility for project management and integration of train command and control systems. The tunnel is scheduled to open in 2020.

Thales’ signalling technology is expected to reduce the journey time between Locarno and Lugano from today's 55 minutes to 22 minutes, with more than 300 trains travelling in both directions every day at speeds of up to 250 km/h.

Related Content

  • January 6, 2025
    New York's congestion charging scheme is finally underway
    First US city to introduce such a scheme: drivers now pay $9 per day
    Read More
  • January 23, 2012
    UK's Hindhead tunnel pushes the boundaries of traffic management
    The new Hindhead Tunnel is the first in the UK to use radar-based incident detection. Paul Arnold, project manager with the Highways Agency, talks about the project. The comparatively remote location of the A3 Hindhead Tunnel has resulted in it becoming one of the most sophisticated in the UK in terms of monitoring and control systems, according to Paul Arnold, project manager for the Highways Agency (HA), which manages strategic roads in England and Wales. It is the first tunnel in the UK to use radar for
    Read More
  • May 2, 2024
    Highway 99 revisited
    The effects of Covid are still being felt. David Arminas considers how the pandemic has affected toll revenue on Seattle’s newish SR99 tunnel – and looks at the traffic management and emergency plans in place for drivers
    Read More
  • October 16, 2014
    Irish tunnel contracts awarded to Egis
    Ireland’s National Roads Authority (NRA) has awarded Egis the renewal and extension of the operation and maintenance contract of the Dublin Tunnel for a period of six years, with a possible four-year extension. This new contract follows a first operation and maintenance contract awarded to the Group in February 2006 and includes the toll collection, traffic and safety management and routine maintenance, including winter and equipment maintenance. It also includes the operation and maintenance of the
    Read More

Highlighted Content