Loetschberg base tunnel, General Contractor

Client:	BLS Alp Transit AG
Location:	Switzerland
Project time:	04/2004 - 06/2007
Executing companies::	Rhomberg Bahntechnik (consortium with Implenia AG)
Contract value (net):	550 Mio. € (percentage of consortium 50%)

Loetschberg Base Line runs from Frutigen to Raron. It comprises of the north connection to the BLS Line and the Frutigen bypass with the Engstligen tunnel, the Loetschberg base tunnel, as well as the Rhone crossing in the south and the connection to the SBB (Swiss Federal Railway) line.

The centrepiece is the 34.6km long Loetschberg base tunnel, consisting of two singletrack tunnel tubes which are about 40m apart and connected to 333m of transverse galleries. The tunnel work was carried out in just 42 months, from the start of preassembly in Berne to project completion.

Requirements:

General contractor	Labelling
Temporary construction site facilities	Control technology
Logistics	Earthing
Safety	Communications technology (fixed landline telephones and wireless systems)
Slab Track	Safety installations
Ballasted track	Ventilation plants
Electricity supply 50 Hz	Cabinets
Traction power supply 16.7 Hz	Doors and gates
Catenary	Tunnel control system
Cable Laying
Hand rails

Facts

Track length: total 57km, 51km in tunnel
Slab track system: LVT / Sonneville
Rail reference points: 171.000 blocks of type LVT (distance 60cm)
Rails: UIC 60: 7.000 tons
HGVswitches: 2 in slab track, 1 ballasted track
Catenary: 2 x 60km, high: 5,3m up to 5,85m adjustable
Max. speed: 250km/h (in tunnel)