New road tunnels are planned for Switzerland

RSSTwo key tunnel projects are being planned in Switzerland at present, for projects at Jura and Gothard. The Swiss Federal Department for Infrastructure Uvek now intends to build a third tunnel at Jura Mountain by 2022. This will be the third link for Motorway 2 and will be completed before renovation work is carried out on the two existing tunnels. The new link will provide four lanes and ensure traffic flow continues while the existing links are improved. The construction of the third tunnel is expected to cost €416.3 million (CHF500 million). Carrying out the upgrade works without the new tunnel and using partial closures of the existing link would cost some €333 million (CHF400 million), so the authorities have decided that the additional initial investment will provide long term value. Meanwhile debate continues over the proposed second Gothard tunnel, with the original link due to close for upgrades. The authorities in Uri Canton have announced opposition over plans to construct a second Gothard tunnel over concerns that this will increase vehicle traffic in the area. Instead, the authorities propose carrying cars by rail in a bid to reduce exhaust pollution.  But the Swiss Federal Council is in favour of a second road tunnel next to the existing Gothard tunnel.