Tunnel key to reducing freight traffic

According to the Swiss Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, the number of freight vehicles travelling by road through the Alps in 2010 increased by 77,000 to 1.257 million, matching the levels of 2007 and 2008.
February 22, 2012 Read time: 1 min
The Swiss want to reduce the number of road freight vehicles travelling through the Alps after the Gotthard Base Tunnel opens in 2019. Seen late last year is the breakthrough in the eastern tube of the twin tube 57km long tunnel. (Pic: Herrenknecht)
According to the 2970 Swiss Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, the number of freight vehicles travelling by road through the Alps in 2010 increased by 77,000 to 1.257 million, matching the levels of 2007 and 2008.
The goal by the end of 2011 is to reduce this number to a maximum of 1 million and to 650,000 in 2019 following the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel.
According to law if these levels are not achieved the 2972 Swiss Federal Council will have to submit additional measures to achieve it. The Federal Council is to submit alternative proposals later in 2011.
In 2010 more goods were also transported across the Alps by rail, with 62.7% of all freight being transported through the Alps by train, compared to 60.9% in 2009.
Road Structures

Related Content

  • Sandvik tunnelling equipment boosts Sochi 2014
    August 28, 2013
    Sandvik Construction is among leading equipment manufacturers playing a key role in building a network of road and rail tunnels on one new and one existing transport route in and around the Russian coastal city of Sochi as part of a US$47.75 billion investment in preparations for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. Guy Woodford reports Sandvik Construction’s tunnelling equipment team in Russia have been very much in demand over the past three years. Since 2010, they have been overseeing the seven Russian c
    Read More
  • Bentley creates digital production chain for Pont-de-Veyle bypass
    September 14, 2016
    Pont-de-Veyle is a picturesque village of around 1,600 people in France’s eastern Rhones-Alps region. Being in a tourist area and close to major towns and cities meant that traffic – around 9,000 vehicles a day through its small streets – was becoming a concern The village sits about 30km from the larger town of Bourg-en-Bresse, towards the Swiss border. It also lies around 60km from the city of Lyon, all in the Department of Ain. The regional administrative authority Ain created the Conseil Départementa
    Read More
  • Key deals show strength of Tolling solutions sector
    September 26, 2013
    The world’s leading tolling solution providers have achieved significant deals in recent months emphasising the importance of their latest and proven technology. Guy Woodford reports Kapsch TrafficCom North America (Kapsch), part of Kapsch TrafficCom Group, has been awarded a five-year US$30 million contract by Canadian Tolling Company International (Cantoll). The contract will see the leading tolling technology manufacturer supply its next generation TDMA V6 Interior Transponder, also known as an onboar
    Read More
  • Australia promotes sustainable transport initiatives
    July 13, 2012
    Roads Australia is encouraging its members to get behind TravelSmart, the government-led campaign to promote sustainable transport alternatives and reduce our reliance on private cars. A number of TravelSmart initiatives and programmes were highlighted at a recent meeting of RA's Congestion Chapter. It was stressed at the meeting that Roads Australia members could set an example for the community by getting its organisations more involved in the programme.
    Read More

Highlighted Content