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The Gotthard Base Tunnel will remain closed to passengers for a long time, but freight trains will be able to pass through again next week. Everything you need to know about today’s SBB press conference.
The important things first: While freight traffic can start rolling again from August 23, passenger traffic takes even longer – and a lot longer. Those responsible do not want to give an exact time, but SBB boss Vincent Ducrot spoke at today’s media conference of “several months” that it could take. First of all, priority is given to putting the undamaged east tube into operation. Only then will the damaged west tube be tackled.
Legend:
The entire wagonload of the derailed wagons lies scattered on the rails in the Gotthard Base Tunnel.
Keystone/Handout/SBB
What’s the problem? Those responsible do not expect that it will be possible to drive through both tunnel tubes again without restrictions until the beginning of 2024. This clashes with the existing evacuation concept. This provides that in the event of a breakdown or an accident within one tube, passengers can access the second tube via safety tunnels. According to Rudolf Büchi, deputy head of infrastructure at SBB, work is currently underway to find alternative solutions. But one thing is clear: as long as the evacuation is not guaranteed, no trains will run.
How is the cleanup progressing? The work turns out to be difficult. According to infrastructure manager Büchi, there are difficult conditions on site. There is no electricity, and the workers are exposed to darkness and temperatures of up to 40 degrees. In addition, 16 derailed freight cars, some of which were badly damaged, are still standing in the tunnel. The damage to the infrastructure extends to eight kilometers. Tracks and around 20,000 concrete sleepers have to be replaced on this route. The tracks in the tunnel are not installed in a ballast bed, but in concrete. The scene of the accident was like a field of rubble, said Büchi.
Legend:
Those responsible at SBB at the media conference in Bern on August 16, 2023 (from left to right: Rudolf Büchi, Deputy Head of SBB Infrastructure, Vincent Ducrot, CEO of SBB, Isabelle Betschart Kühne, Head of Production at SBB Cargo, Reto Liechti, Head of Railway Production at SBB, Passenger Transport Production)
KEYSTONE/Marcel Bieri
What do you know about the cause of the accident? The exact cause of the accident is still not clear. Those responsible at the media conference repeatedly emphasized that they would have to wait for the investigation by the Swiss Safety Investigation Board (Sust). They did not want to confirm speculation that a damaged wheel was responsible for the accident.
We move in a simpler world when it comes to freight transport
How could it come to this? Only fragmentary information is currently available about the exact course of the accident. According to Isabelle Betschart Kühne from SBB Caro, the train consisted of 30 cars that came together from five different destinations in Italy and then drove from Chiasso to Basel. Before its departure, the train was subjected to the usual checks. No defects were found. In front of the tunnel entrance there was an interim development of smoke. Whether this existed in connection with the subsequent accident must also be clarified.
How safe is freight transport? “We move in a simpler world when it comes to freight transport,” said Vincent Ducrot, when asked about the differences between freight and passenger transport. “A train driver doesn’t see what’s happening at the back of the train,” says Rudolf Büchi. Instead, the current system is based on multiple checkpoints throughout the rail network. At this point in time, all those responsible emphasized that they are convinced of the security of the system. According to Vincent Ducrot, there are projects to adapt European freight transport. “But it will take a long time before that happens.”
Legend:
SBB boss Vincent Ducrot was the focus of the media conference on the status of the Gotthard base tunnel (08/16/23).
KEYSTONE/MARCEL BIERI