Implenia JV wins €480m Gotthard tunnel contract

A joint venture (JV) led by Swiss contractor Implenia has been awarded a €483 million contract on the Gotthard road tunnel in the Swiss Alps.

The Gotthard road tunnel construction team with the TBM that is currently in use on Lot 243 of the project. Photo: Implenia

The Secondo Tubo JV – comprising Implenia (60%) and Swiss engineering firm Frutiger (40%) – will build the main northern lot of the second tube of the tunnel, Lot 241.

The new project adds to Implenia’s ongoing work on Lot 243 of the tunnel.  

Within the new contract, the Swiss Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) has tasked Secondo Tubo with constructing a 7.9km-long section of the tunnel, with a diameter of 12.3m.

This section of the road tunnel will run from the northern entrance to the lot boundary at the middle of the tube.

Tunnelling methodology

The construction team will start work using conventional tunnelling methods, before switching to a tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the excavation of the main 7.3km stretch of the tunnel.

The conventional tunnelling work includes a 160m-long section at the start, which connects with a 430m-long section running through the northern disturbance zone.

Implenia says its scope of work also includes the highly complex excavation of two underground ventilation centres, plus the creation of an underground concrete plant and halls for the production of tubing rings.

Construction work on the project is expected to start this year, with completion slated for 2029.

Implenia’s CEO André Wyss said, “The second tube of the Gotthard road tunnel will make a major contribution to improving the north-south road link in Switzerland.

“We are delighted to be planning and building this large and complex infrastructure project, which is an excellent fit with Implenia’s strategy.”

FEDRO said of the contract award, “The ‘secondo tubo’ joint venture submitted a very good offer in terms of quality and price, making it the most favourable choice. The winning offer was impressive throughout, scoring well or very well on all the award criteria. The key personnel designated for site deployment also rated very highly.”