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

  • Portugal's road safety initiative
    April 12, 2012
    The Portuguese experience with road safety has proved that planning, development, introduction, and hard work do pay off in the end. Paulo Marques Augusto, president of the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR), explained that in the last 10 years a decrease of over 50% has been achieved in the number of fatalities on the road network despite a continuing growth in traffic demand (there are five million vehicles in Portugal), and a similar reduction in travel time on most of the connections between Lisbon a
    Read More
  • Portugal's road safety initiative
    February 14, 2012
    The Portuguese experience with road safety has proved that planning, development, introduction, and hard work do pay off in the end. Paulo Marques Augusto, president of the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR), explained that in the last 10 years a decrease of over 50% has been achieved in the number of fatalities on the road network despite a continuing growth in traffic demand (there are five million vehicles in Portugal), and a similar reduction in travel time on most of the connections between Lisbon a
    Read More
  • Blip in road safety for Europe?
    July 11, 2023
    Is this a blip in road safety for Europe?
    Read More
  • Safety measures aid workzone accident reduction
    February 20, 2012
    Everyone connected with the highway industry is involved in the efforts to cut down the number of work zone accidents. Patrick Smith reports. A few months ago, as road work resumed on America's highways and bridges, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called on drivers to use extra caution in work zones. At the same time he commended the success in reducing overall roadway fatalities in each of the last seven years.
    Read More

Highlighted Content