1136:
27:
1068:
Tunnel's construction for the removal of excavating spoil as well as to convey supplies into the construction site. The
Bedretto tunnel was abandoned for a time following the completion of the Furka tunnel, being used neither for emergency access nor for maintenance purposes, in part due to three separate collapses. During the 2010s, it was restored to accommodate a new ventilation system for the Furka tunnel, intended to supply fresh air in the event of a major fire within the latter tunnel.
1146:
1166:
1156:
1128:
various safety measures. The tunnel is typically kept operational throughout the process by performing the majority of the work at night. Particular attention has been paid to the tunnel ventilation, intended to control threats such as fires. However, the study of several operational scenarios points out the weaknesses of the existing ventilation system and difficulties to dissipate the smokes without modifying the ventilation system.
526:
793:
515:
801:
588:
561:
425:
534:
482:
442:
434:
351:
714:
698:
472:
464:
853:
769:
615:
490:
373:
739:
706:
667:
637:
1035:. This section of the line was particularly challenging to operate, its closure being necessary during the winter months due to the risks associated with heavy snowfalls. These seasonal cycles of closures and reopenings required civil engineering works each time, as large sections of the railway's overhead electrical lines to be dismantled and reinstated as well.
828:
400:
1496:
1444:
1127:
During August 2018, a comprehensive modernisation of the Furka Base Tunnel's infrastructure commenced. This programme, costed at CHF 190 million, largely revolves around the refurbishment of the tunnel's structure, the wholesale replacement of the track and trackbed, as well as the incorporation of
1091:
In spite of the presence of multiple complex geological features along the bore, work typically proceeded at a steady pace. Typically 400 metres of the tunnel were lined each month, this rate being supported via five individual shotcrete machines that were operated simultaneously. By the end of its
1087:
lining along the majority of its length. Areas of particularly high rock pressure were addressed via the excavation of an elliptical or circular profile and the application of steel ribs. Engineers were guided in the use of support measures by a series of geological studies, along with construction
1067:
During 1971, work commenced on the boring of the
Bedretto tunnel, which functioned as an annex tunnel for the Furka Base Tunnel. Excavated by conventional techniques, including both drilling and blasting, it was a relatively narrow tunnel through the bare rock. It was used during the Furka Base
1095:
The completed Furka Base Tunnel accommodates a single track throughout, its cross section varying between 26 and 42 m throughout its length. This often narrow cross section has been attributed as one reason for the tunnel's construction requiring ten years, as it hindered the movement of bulky
993:
within a railway tunnel. The tunnel has a relatively narrow cross section, which has been attributed with slowing the construction effort somewhat. The interconnecting
Bedretto tunnel was used during the Furka Base Tunnel's construction for the removal of excavating spoil as well as to moving
997:
The Furka Base Tunnel is 15,407 m (16,849 yd) in length, and replaced the previous track that climbed to an apex of 2,160 m (7,090 ft) above sea level, thus allowing year-round service through service on the Furka–Oberalp line. In the middle of the base tunnel, is a
1038:
The replacement of the Furka Summit Tunnel with a base tunnel had long been identified as an attractive solution, but the prospects for constructing such a tunnel were complicated by multiple factors in both its design and construction. Initial authorisation from the
1448:
1104:
During 1982, the Furka Base Tunnel was opened to traffic. During its initial year of operation, the tunnel was used to transport in excess of 75,000 passenger cars, trucks and buses. As of 2009, the base tunnel serves both an hourly regional train and ten daily
1055:. However, these estimates proved to be drastically inadequate as the project proceeded, with figures in excess of 300 million francs being reached prior to the base tunnel's completion. There was substantial political tensions surrounding these
1059:, which have been said to have contributed to Bonvin's ill health toward the end of the project; Bonvin died just prior to its opening in 1982. A plaque commemorating Roger Bonvin is installed as the base tunnel's entrance in Oberwald.
1006:(elevation 1,480 m (4,860 ft)); some proponents of the project hoped to eventually build a Y-shaped tunnel connecting all three locations. The Furka Base Tunnel is completed by a bypass tunnel around Oberwald.
977:, which was only available seasonally due to the threat posed by heavy snowfalls. Construction commenced during 1971, taking ten years to complete. An innovative permanent support system was used, comprising
1079:
to make the rock surrounding the tunnel portals impermeable. It was reportedly the first use of such material within a railway tunnel. The permanent support for the tunnel consisted only of
1120:
While the older high level route was initially closed following the diversion of all regular services through the new Furka Base Tunnel, this line has since been reopened by the
1375:
1071:
The construction techniques used for the Furka Base Tunnel were relatively innovative for the era. One such technique involved the application of a recently developed
1524:
1549:
1529:
913:
1519:
1414:
1392:
1474:
1534:
306:
74:
1040:
906:
1539:
1092:
construction, roughly 70,000 m of dry aggregate and cement mixture had been used, while 115,000 rock bolts have been applied.
1020:
947:
1544:
332:
67:
1500:
973:
Prior to its construction, all traffic had to use the historic high-level route via the 1.8 km (1.1 mi) long
899:
1044:
864:
943:
411:
190:
180:
127:
117:
1475:"Investigating different operational scenarios for the proposed emergency ventilation system in Furka Tunnel"
1124:, which routinely put on tourist trains through the historic Furka Pass, including the Furka Summit Tunnel.
286:
1117:. During the winter skiing season, traffic in the tunnel has consistently approached its maximum capacity.
1121:
238:
1554:
1369:
1135:
839:
145:
1145:
1341:
1272:
384:
1165:
1032:
974:
812:
545:
243:
26:
1155:
1357:
1288:
45:
1410:
1306:
291:
1430:
1349:
1280:
1188:
1183:
1106:
1345:
1276:
1329:
1260:
1513:
1361:
1292:
1056:
1028:
955:
149:
59:
1072:
1051:; the total cost of its construction had been initially estimated to be 76 million
1048:
986:
753:
651:
1226:
1052:
939:
935:
278:
250:
135:
1114:
1047:
passed a comprehensive bill for the base tunnel's construction, sponsored by
89:
76:
1084:
1080:
982:
978:
963:
1031:
via the historic high-level route using the 1.8 km (1.1 mi) long
1495:
1019:
Prior to the opening of the Furka Base Tunnel, all railway traffic on the
1076:
999:
990:
959:
723:
1473:
Yuosaf, Rehan; Melchior, Tom; (Poyry
Switzerland Ltd.) (25 April 2016).
1353:
1284:
1110:
327:
1207:
Die Furka-Basislinie
Oberwald-Realp, Schweizer Ingenieur und Architekt
1024:
1003:
951:
131:
55:
1164:
1154:
1144:
1134:
967:
994:
supplies inwards; it has since been reused for ventilation.
1088:
experience, to predict and monitor systematic deformation.
1330:"Schotcrete as permanent lining for the Furka base tunnel"
1271:(4). Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering volume: 215–231.
1043:
for preparatory work was given in 1971. During 1976, the
320:
312:
300:
285:
249:
233:
225:
217:
212:
204:
196:
186:
176:
161:
156:
141:
123:
113:
105:
66:
51:
41:
36:
1261:"Design and construction of the Furka base tunnel"
998:5,221-metre-long (5,710 yd) access tunnel to
1409:. Verlag Schweers + Wall GmbH. 2012. p. 34.
950:, an east–west railway connecting the cantons of
1393:"Furka Base Tunnel modernisation gets underway"
1184:Bedretto Underground Laboratory for Geoenergies
1468:
1466:
1387:
1385:
1254:
1252:
1250:
1248:
1246:
1244:
1221:
1219:
1217:
1215:
1213:
907:
8:
1374:: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
962:(VS), at 1,390 m (4,560 ft) above
19:
1139:Oberwald bypass tunnel (1366 m a.s.l.)
533:
525:
1023:traversed the challenging terrain between
914:
900:
800:
792:
340:
25:
18:
985:coating, which included the first use of
1328:Amberg, R. and Sala, A. (January 1984).
1200:
970:(UR), at 1,550 m (5,090 ft).
1447:. engineering-group.ch. Archived from
1367:
489:
481:
471:
463:
441:
433:
1480:. www.tunnel-graz.at. pp. 45–52.
1395:. railwaygazette.com. 31 August 2018.
16:Railway tunnel in central Switzerland
7:
1525:Buildings and structures in Obwalden
1169:Bedretto window (1480 m a.s.l.)
705:
697:
1334:Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
1265:Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
1550:1982 establishments in Switzerland
1530:Buildings and structures in Valais
966:and its east portal lies south of
514:
14:
1494:
1159:East portal (1550 m a.s.l.)
1149:West portal (1390 m a.s.l.)
851:
826:
799:
791:
767:
737:
712:
704:
696:
665:
635:
613:
587:
586:
560:
559:
532:
524:
513:
488:
480:
470:
462:
440:
432:
423:
398:
371:
349:
958:. Its west portal lies east of
350:
1520:Railway tunnels in Switzerland
713:
424:
234:
229:15.407 km (9.573 mi)
221:15.407 km (9.573 mi)
1:
1445:"Furka Tunnel Update Project"
852:
768:
614:
372:
1307:"History of Glacier Express"
1259:Amberg, R. (November 1983).
738:
666:
636:
316:1,390 m (4,560 ft)
304:1,564 m (5,131 ft)
31:Tunnel near the Realp portal
1113:and the ski resort town of
827:
399:
1571:
1535:Tunnels completed in 1982
1045:Parliament of Switzerland
860:
845:
838:
820:
809:
783:
776:
761:
749:
731:
721:
688:
659:
647:
629:
622:
607:
580:
553:
542:
505:
500:Oberwald deviation tunnel
498:
454:
450:
417:
410:
392:
380:
365:
361:
343:
325:
24:
1096:construction equipment.
944:Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
191:Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
181:Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
118:Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
1227:"History of the tunnel"
1407:Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz
1170:
1160:
1150:
1140:
1122:Furka Heritage Railway
165:25 June 1982
1229:. bedrettolab.ethz.ch
1168:
1158:
1148:
1138:
208:Passenger and freight
1503:at Wikimedia Commons
1431:"Swiss steam trains"
90:46.53528°N 8.45333°E
1545:Tunnels in the Alps
1346:1984RMRE...17....1A
1309:. glacierexpress.ch
1277:1983RMRE...16..215A
1033:Furka Summit Tunnel
975:Furka Summit Tunnel
813:Furka Steam Railway
546:Furka Steam Railway
86: /
21:
1451:on 4 February 2022
1354:10.1007/BF01088367
1285:10.1007/BF01042358
1171:
1161:
1151:
1141:
1021:Furka–Oberalp line
948:Furka–Oberalp line
726:ventilation tunnel
296:11 kV AC 16 2/3 Hz
46:Furka Oberalp Bahn
1540:Uri–Valais border
1501:Furka Base Tunnel
1499:Media related to
1416:978-3-89494-130-7
1175:
1174:
1002:in the canton of
932:Furka Base Tunnel
928:
927:
924:
923:
888:
887:
677:Furka Base Tunnel
301:Highest elevation
292:Overhead catenary
95:46.53528; 8.45333
20:Furka Base Tunnel
1562:
1498:
1482:
1481:
1479:
1470:
1461:
1460:
1458:
1456:
1441:
1435:
1434:
1427:
1421:
1420:
1403:
1397:
1396:
1389:
1380:
1379:
1373:
1365:
1325:
1319:
1318:
1316:
1314:
1303:
1297:
1296:
1256:
1239:
1238:
1236:
1234:
1223:
1208:
1205:
1131:
1130:
916:
909:
902:
896:
855:
854:
830:
829:
803:
802:
795:
794:
771:
770:
741:
740:
716:
715:
708:
707:
700:
699:
669:
668:
639:
638:
617:
616:
590:
589:
563:
562:
536:
535:
528:
527:
517:
516:
492:
491:
484:
483:
474:
473:
466:
465:
444:
443:
436:
435:
427:
426:
402:
401:
375:
374:
353:
352:
341:
328:
313:Lowest elevation
281:
275:
273:
272:
268:
265:
257:
236:
172:
170:
101:
100:
98:
97:
96:
91:
87:
84:
83:
82:
79:
29:
22:
1570:
1569:
1565:
1564:
1563:
1561:
1560:
1559:
1510:
1509:
1507:
1491:
1486:
1485:
1477:
1472:
1471:
1464:
1454:
1452:
1443:
1442:
1438:
1429:
1428:
1424:
1417:
1405:
1404:
1400:
1391:
1390:
1383:
1366:
1327:
1326:
1322:
1312:
1310:
1305:
1304:
1300:
1258:
1257:
1242:
1232:
1230:
1225:
1224:
1211:
1206:
1202:
1197:
1189:Rotondo Granite
1180:
1109:trains between
1107:Glacier Express
1102:
1065:
1041:Federal Council
1017:
1012:
920:
894:
868:
856:
836:
831:
816:
805:
804:
797:
796:
779:
772:
757:
747:
742:
727:
717:
710:
709:
702:
701:
684:
679:
670:
655:
645:
640:
625:
618:
603:
598:
591:
576:
571:
564:
549:
538:
537:
530:
529:
520:
519:
518:
501:
494:
493:
486:
485:
476:
475:
468:
467:
446:
445:
438:
437:
428:
408:
403:
388:
376:
359:
354:
335:
305:
295:
277:
270:
266:
263:
261:
260:3 ft
259:
255:
168:
166:
94:
92:
88:
85:
80:
77:
75:
73:
72:
32:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1568:
1566:
1558:
1557:
1552:
1547:
1542:
1537:
1532:
1527:
1522:
1512:
1511:
1505:
1504:
1490:
1489:External links
1487:
1484:
1483:
1462:
1436:
1422:
1415:
1398:
1381:
1320:
1298:
1240:
1209:
1199:
1198:
1196:
1193:
1192:
1191:
1186:
1179:
1176:
1173:
1172:
1162:
1152:
1142:
1101:
1098:
1064:
1061:
1016:
1013:
1011:
1008:
926:
925:
922:
921:
919:
918:
911:
904:
895:This diagram:
893:
890:
889:
886:
885:
883:
881:
879:
877:
875:
873:
870:
869:
861:
859:
857:
850:
848:
846:
843:
842:
837:
834:
832:
825:
823:
821:
818:
817:
810:
808:
806:
798:
790:
789:
788:
786:
784:
781:
780:
777:
775:
773:
766:
764:
762:
759:
758:
751:
748:
745:
743:
736:
734:
732:
729:
728:
722:
720:
718:
711:
703:
695:
694:
693:
691:
689:
686:
685:
682:
680:
675:
673:
671:
664:
662:
660:
657:
656:
649:
646:
643:
641:
634:
632:
630:
627:
626:
623:
621:
619:
612:
610:
608:
605:
604:
601:
599:
596:
594:
592:
585:
583:
581:
578:
577:
574:
572:
569:
567:
565:
558:
556:
554:
551:
550:
543:
541:
539:
531:
523:
522:
521:
512:
511:
510:
508:
506:
503:
502:
499:
497:
495:
487:
479:
478:
477:
469:
461:
460:
459:
457:
455:
452:
451:
449:
447:
439:
431:
430:
429:
422:
420:
418:
415:
414:
409:
406:
404:
397:
395:
393:
390:
389:
381:
379:
377:
370:
368:
366:
363:
362:
360:
357:
355:
348:
346:
344:
337:
336:
331:
323:
322:
318:
317:
314:
310:
309:
302:
298:
297:
289:
283:
282:
253:
247:
246:
241:
231:
230:
227:
223:
222:
219:
215:
214:
210:
209:
206:
202:
201:
198:
194:
193:
188:
184:
183:
178:
174:
173:
163:
159:
158:
154:
153:
143:
139:
138:
125:
121:
120:
115:
111:
110:
107:
103:
102:
70:
64:
63:
53:
49:
48:
43:
39:
38:
34:
33:
30:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1567:
1556:
1553:
1551:
1548:
1546:
1543:
1541:
1538:
1536:
1533:
1531:
1528:
1526:
1523:
1521:
1518:
1517:
1515:
1508:
1502:
1497:
1493:
1492:
1488:
1476:
1469:
1467:
1463:
1450:
1446:
1440:
1437:
1432:
1426:
1423:
1418:
1412:
1408:
1402:
1399:
1394:
1388:
1386:
1382:
1377:
1371:
1363:
1359:
1355:
1351:
1347:
1343:
1339:
1335:
1331:
1324:
1321:
1308:
1302:
1299:
1294:
1290:
1286:
1282:
1278:
1274:
1270:
1266:
1262:
1255:
1253:
1251:
1249:
1247:
1245:
1241:
1228:
1222:
1220:
1218:
1216:
1214:
1210:
1204:
1201:
1194:
1190:
1187:
1185:
1182:
1181:
1177:
1167:
1163:
1157:
1153:
1147:
1143:
1137:
1133:
1132:
1129:
1125:
1123:
1118:
1116:
1112:
1108:
1099:
1097:
1093:
1089:
1086:
1082:
1078:
1074:
1069:
1062:
1060:
1058:
1057:cost overruns
1054:
1050:
1046:
1042:
1036:
1034:
1030:
1026:
1022:
1014:
1009:
1007:
1005:
1001:
995:
992:
988:
984:
980:
976:
971:
969:
965:
961:
957:
953:
949:
945:
941:
937:
933:
917:
912:
910:
905:
903:
898:
897:
892:
891:
884:
882:
880:
878:
876:
874:
872:
871:
867:
866:
858:
849:
847:
844:
841:
833:
824:
822:
819:
815:
814:
807:
787:
785:
782:
774:
765:
763:
760:
755:
744:
735:
733:
730:
725:
719:
692:
690:
687:
681:
678:
674:
672:
663:
661:
658:
653:
642:
633:
631:
628:
620:
611:
609:
606:
600:
595:
593:
584:
582:
579:
573:
568:
566:
557:
555:
552:
548:
547:
540:
509:
507:
504:
496:
458:
456:
453:
448:
421:
419:
416:
413:
405:
396:
394:
391:
387:
386:
378:
369:
367:
364:
356:
347:
345:
342:
339:
338:
334:
330:
329:
324:
319:
315:
311:
308:
307:above the Sea
303:
299:
293:
290:
288:
284:
280:
256:1,000 mm
254:
252:
248:
245:
242:
240:
232:
228:
224:
220:
216:
211:
207:
203:
199:
195:
192:
189:
185:
182:
179:
175:
164:
160:
155:
152:, Switzerland
151:
147:
144:
140:
137:
133:
129:
126:
122:
119:
116:
112:
108:
104:
99:
71:
69:
65:
62:, Switzerland
61:
57:
54:
50:
47:
44:
40:
35:
28:
23:
1555:Base tunnels
1506:
1453:. Retrieved
1449:the original
1439:
1433:. June 2011.
1425:
1406:
1401:
1370:cite journal
1340:(17): 1–14.
1337:
1333:
1323:
1311:. Retrieved
1301:
1268:
1264:
1231:. Retrieved
1203:
1126:
1119:
1103:
1100:Service life
1094:
1090:
1081:rock anchors
1073:polyurethane
1070:
1066:
1063:Construction
1049:Roger Bonvin
1037:
1018:
996:
987:polyurethane
979:rock anchors
972:
931:
929:
862:
811:
754:passing loop
676:
652:passing loop
544:
382:
244:Single track
940:base tunnel
778:East portal
624:West portal
570:Rhonebrücke
287:Electrified
279:metre gauge
251:Track gauge
226:Line length
136:Switzerland
93: /
68:Coordinates
1514:Categories
1455:2 February
1313:2 February
1233:2 February
1195:References
1115:St. Moritz
1015:Background
597:Goneribrug
169:1982-06-25
1362:129176961
1293:128741128
1085:shotcrete
983:shotcrete
964:sea level
865:Andermatt
321:Route map
213:Technical
205:Character
157:Operation
81:8°27′12″E
78:46°32′7″N
1178:See also
1077:grouting
1000:Bedretto
991:grouting
960:Oberwald
938:railway
750:Rotondo
724:Bedretto
683:15,442 m
412:Oberwald
274: in
187:Operator
128:Oberwald
52:Location
37:Overview
1342:Bibcode
1273:Bibcode
1111:Zermatt
1075:-based
1010:History
989:-based
942:on the
269:⁄
197:Traffic
167: (
1413:
1360:
1291:
1083:and a
1053:francs
1025:Valais
1004:Ticino
981:and a
952:Valais
648:Geren
333:Legend
326:
239:tracks
218:Length
162:Opened
132:Valais
114:System
106:Status
56:Valais
1478:(PDF)
1358:S2CID
1289:S2CID
968:Realp
936:Swiss
934:is a
840:Realp
200:Train
177:Owner
146:Realp
124:Start
1457:2021
1411:ISBN
1376:link
1315:2021
1235:2020
1027:and
954:and
930:The
915:edit
908:talk
901:view
835:59.4
746:53.0
644:47.2
602:60 m
575:59 m
407:41.3
385:Visp
109:Open
42:Line
1350:doi
1281:doi
1029:Uri
956:Uri
946:'s
863:to
383:to
237:of
235:No.
150:Uri
142:End
60:Uri
1516::
1465:^
1384:^
1372:}}
1368:{{
1356:.
1348:.
1338:17
1336:.
1332:.
1287:.
1279:.
1269:16
1267:.
1263:.
1243:^
1212:^
358:km
276:)
148:,
134:,
130:,
58:/
1459:.
1419:.
1378:)
1364:.
1352::
1344::
1317:.
1295:.
1283::
1275::
1237:.
756:)
752:(
654:)
650:(
294:,
271:8
267:3
264:+
262:3
258:(
171:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
