Chaotic Scene on German Railways
The Longest Railway Tunnel in the World vs. Major German Projects: A Comparative Analysis
The Gotthard Base Tunnel, the longest railway tunnel in the world, opened in 2016 and stretches an impressive 57 km. With a cost of approximately CHF 12 billion (USD 12 billion), this alpine base tunnel has revolutionised freight and passenger transit in Switzerland.
In contrast, major railway projects in Germany such as Stuttgart 21 and the Rheintalbahn differ significantly in length and cost.
Stuttgart 21, an extensive railway and urban development project, is scheduled to reach Stuttgart Central Station by the end of 2026. The project, involving tunneling and station redevelopment, is estimated to cost around €8 billion (USD 8.8 billion). The core tunnel sections are much shorter than the Gotthard Base Tunnel, with only a few kilometers of new tunnels.
The Rheintalbahn, referring to existing railway lines undergoing frequent upgrades and expansions, involves shorter tunnels but extensive rail corridor and capacity improvements. Costs per project section are generally lower than for ultra-long tunnels like the Gotthard Base Tunnel, but can still reach billions of euros over many years.
| Project | Length of Tunnel / New Tunnels | Approximate Cost | Notes | |----------------------|-------------------------------|--------------------------|----------------------------------------| | Gotthard Base Tunnel | 57 km | ~CHF 12 billion (~USD 12 billion) | Longest railway tunnel in the world, alpine base tunnel for freight and passenger | | Stuttgart 21 | Several km of new tunnels | ~€8 billion (~USD 8.8 billion) | Urban redevelopment and tunnel project, shorter than Gotthard base tunnel | | Rheintalbahn | Multiple sections, shorter tunnels | Varies; generally less than above projects per section | Railway upgrades and expansions along Rhine valley corridor |
As for the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the length is well-documented, while Stuttgart 21's tunnel sections are only a few kilometers.
The Stuttgart 21 project partners are currently embroiled in a legal dispute, as they do not wish to increase their financial contribution. Despite this, the completion date for Stuttgart 21 has not been postponed again. The largest track closures for Stuttgart 21 are still to come.
In Switzerland, the expansion of the Gotthard road tunnel was initially postponed for cost reasons and then stopped by a referendum. The second tube of the Gotthard road tunnel, which has been in operation since 1980, is used only by emergency vehicles.
For more information on Stuttgart 21, please contact Michael Schwarz at m.schwarz@our website.
Meanwhile, the Gäubahn tunnel, which cost nearly a billion euros, still exists only on paper. The Lkw piggyback traffic between Freiburg and Novara will be discontinued by the end of this year, with more trucks driving through the Gotthard road tunnel from next year.
Lastly, the Railway Act is expected to be amended, allowing Stuttgart to get its new district. Green Minister of Transport Winfried Hermann expects the suffering of Stuttgart 21 passengers to increase significantly. The Gotthard road tunnel, the longest car tunnel through the Alps, is only half in operation.
The management team of the Stuttgart 21 project is currently engaged in a legal dispute, unwilling to increase their financial contribution.
In sports terminology, the ongoing disagreement can be compared to a closely contested game, with both sides fighting to maintain their financial positions.
