The Lötschberg is a mountain situated in the southern canton of Bern in Switzerland, bordering the Swiss canton of Valais. The Lötschberg Tunnel is a total of 14,600 meters (14.6 km) long and was opened in 1913. It is a single-tube double-track tunnel with a gradient of 7% on the north side and 3.8% on the south side. The gradient in the middle of the tunnel is 0%. The maximum speed in the Lötschberg Tunnel is 110 km/h. The drive through the Lötschberg Tunnel takes about 15 minutes, and it can accommodate approximately 80 cars simultaneously.
The former project leader had developed several possible variants to pass through the approximately 3,500-meter-high Alps. Typically, these variants included a longer summit tunnel in Gasterntal and two longer tunnels. The subsequent tunnel was planned as a single track (with a 500-meter-long passing station for train crossings). The first measurement took place on July 14, 1906. However, since the first surveyor died during the project, the measurement was repeated by another surveyor on October 1. The construction began on October 15, 1906, just 14 days after the second measurement. Another 14 days later, work started in Goppenstein, and one day later in Kandersteg (north side). In August 1907, the tunnel's upgrade to double track was approved. On March 31, 1911, 5 years after the start of construction, the final breakthrough and the final blast of the last separating wall took place just before 4 am. The final inspection and operating permit of the tunnel were carried out on June 6, 1913, three days after the installation of the overhead line wires. The Lötschberg Line was opened to the public on July 15, 1913.
In the immediate vicinity of the Lötschberg Tunnel, there are other mountains such as the First, Chlyne Lohner, Lohner, Innerer Fisistock, Doldenhorn, Altels, and many more. These mountains are surrounded by forests like the Gasterntal.
The drive through the Lötschberg Tunnel takes approximately 15 minutes.
The passenger trains travel at a maximum speed (with tilting technology) of around 250 km/h through the Lötschberg Base Tunnel. Without tilting technology, the speed reaches 230 km/h. Intercity and Eurocity trains reach 200 km/h.
The car transport service is a car transport from Kandersteg (canton of Bern) to Goppenstein (canton of Valais), which is available 365 days a year via the Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon Railway (BLS) and departs every 30 minutes (every 15 minutes during peak times).
Yes, the Lötschberg Tunnel is subject to tolls.
