Grimsel Tunnel

The Grimsel Tunnel (German: Grimseltunnel) is a proposed 21.72-kilometre (13.50 mi) tunnel for power transmission and rail transport in Switzerland. As of 2016 it was planned to run under the Grimsel Pass and link the Zentralbahn at the north end with the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn at the south, with planned opening in approximately 2025-2026.[1] The Canton of Bern, Canton of Valais, and Swissgrid unveiled their joint plans on 4 February 2016.[1]

The tunnel is proposed to carry a single-track metre gauge railway and railway electrification system.[1] The total length of the new Grimsel Line (German: Grimselbahn) route containing the tunnel would be 21.75 kilometres (13.51 mi).[2] It would link two groups of existing railway lines constructed to one-metre track gauge in Switzerland, forming a contiguous route of 844 kilometres (524 mi).[2] The power transmission cables would run at 380kV and replace Swissgrid's existing overhead power line,[1] and allow the removal of the 121 electricity pylons that had been in place for sixty years.[3]

The intended railway route would continue from the Brünig railway line at Meiringen railway station, via the Meiringen–Innertkirchen railway, to a stop at Innertkirchen, then via new stations at Guttannen and Handegg (Handeck) to Oberwald railway station for continuation via the Furka Base Tunnel. Travel time between Meiringen and Oberwald would be approximately 38 minutes—a reduction of three hours.[4]

A company called Grimselbahn AG was founded by the promoters, with Peter Teuscher as its chair person.[5]

In 2016 the estimated cost was 580-million Swiss Francs.[2] The split cost of 290-million Swiss Francs each for railway and power transmission usage would less than the individual estimated costs of 490-million Swiss Francs for a power-only tunnel or 430-million Swiss Francs for a rail-only tunnel.[3] The tunnel route had first been proposed in 1860.[2]

Route
Planned route of the Grimsel Tunnel[6]
ElevationPortalLocationConnectionGeo
650 mNorth portalInnertkirchenMeiringen–Innertkirchen Railway46.7°N 8.24°E / 46.7; 8.24 (Grimsel Tunnel north portal at Innertkirchen (proposed))
1057 mGuttannen stationGuttannen46.657°N 8.29°E / 46.657; 8.29 (Guttannen station on Grimsel Tunnel (proposed))
1327 mHandegg stationHandeggGelmer Funicular46.615°N 8.31°E / 46.615; 8.31 (Handegg station on Grimsel Tunnel (proposed))
1368 mSouth portalOberwald/ObergestelnMatterhorn Gotthard Bahn46.52°N 8.33°E / 46.52; 8.33 (Grimsel Tunnel south portal near Oberwald (proposed))
1366 mOberwald stationOberwaldFurka Cogwheel Steam Railway46.531°N 8.343°E / 46.531; 8.343 (Oberwald station on Grimsel Tunnel route (existing))

References
  1. "Cantons back Grimsel Tunnel to link metre gauge networks". Railway Gazette. 5 February 2016.
  2. Green, Anitra (4 February 2016). "Swiss cantons reveal Grimsel Pass railway plan". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  3. "Neuer Grimsel-Tunnel zwischen Berner Oberland und Wallis". SRF (in German). 4 February 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  4. Hunkeler, Michael (4 February 2016). "In 38 Minuten von Meiringen nach Oberwald". Der Bund (in German). Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  5. Schneeberger, Paul (4 February 2016). "in Tunnel für Strom und Schiene". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  6. Grimseltunnel-Komitee (2018). "Realisierung Grimseltunnel" [Implementation of the Grimsel Tunnel]. Radio Rottu Oberwallis (in German). Nordportal Innertkirchen 650 m; Haltestelle Guttannen 1057 m; Haltestelle Handeck 1327 m; Grimselsee ; Südportal Oberwald 1368 m … 718 Höhenmeter


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