TAI Journal (A Half Yearly Technical Journal of Indian Chapter of TAI)
Year : 2017, Volume : 6, Issue : 2
First page : ( 33) Last page : ( 43)
Print ISSN : 2277-2820. Online ISSN : 2278-4713.

Risk, Contract Management and Financing of the Gotthard Base -Tunnel

Fabbri Davide

Lombardi Engineering Ltd., Switzerland

Online published on 5 October, 2017.

Abstract

With the opening ceremony of the Gotthard base-tunnel on June 1^st 2016 a new world record has been established: the commissioning of the world's longest railway tunnel in the world. Many challenges have been achieved; many technical innovations have been developed for and considered into the project. Since December 11^th 2016 the Gotthard base-tunnel is an integral part of the new timetable of the Swiss Federal Railways and it is full in operation. With a total length of 57 km and a cruising speed for passenger's trains of 200 km/h, the Gotthard base-tunnel reduces the journey time through the Alps by 40 minutes, contributing significantly to break down the distance the south and the north of Europe.

After 25 years of design and more than 17 years of construction, it is the suitable time for a review of the interesting and intensive realisation phase of this project of the century. A look into successes and critical moments a remarkable learning process, identifying positive and more demanding experiences to be considered for future projects.

The presentation will highlight the management and the sharing of risks, the procurement strategy, the adopted contractual models, the contract and dispute management as well as the financing model. Those were some of the winning aspects for the construction of the Gotthard base-tunnel in accordance with the agreed level of quality, without exceeding the budget agreed and with full respect of the time schedule. Relevant suggestions and recommendations might be formulated as a valuable feedback of these aspects.

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