This section deals with a selection of major railway projects currently in progress in all parts of the world. These projects are based on achievements in terms of Research and Innovation actions led by the stakeholders concerned and are perfect examples of railway vitality and dynamism.
Across Europe
- Gotthard Base Tunnel – Switzerland
Technical details:
The Gotthard Base Tunnel consists of two 57 kilometre-long single-track tubes. Including all cross-passages, access tunnels and shafts, the total length of the tunnel system is over 152 km. It links the north portal at Erstfeld with the south portal at Bodio. With a rock overburden of up to 2 300 metres, the Gotthard Base Tunnel is not only the world’s longest, but also the world’s deepest railway tunnel constructed to date.
Two multifunction stations, at Faido and Sedrun, divide both tubes into three approximately equally long sections. The multifunction stations each contain emergency-stop stations and two track crossovers. In the event of an incident, such as a fire in a train or a fault in the Gotthard Base Tunnel, whenever possible the affected train travels out of the tunnel into the open air. If this is not possible, the train driver halts the train at one of the emergency-stop stations.
Benefits:
Besides the tunnel itself, numerous built structures, such as underpasses and bridges, are required for the tunnel approaches. In the Reuss valley in the canton of Uri, the over-ground section crosses inhabited areas, roads, rivers and agricultural land. Protective measures against noise, dust and floods, as well as for nature conservation, are therefore challenges that are just as important as the technical implementation of the new railway line.
The Gotthard Base Tunnel will be officially opened on 1 June 2016, and for scheduled commercial services in December 2016.
To find out more about the project:
https://www.alptransit.ch/en/gotthard/gotthard-base-tunnel/
(Source: Gottardo2016.ch)
- CROSSRAIL – United Kingdom
A world-class new railway for London and the south east
Crossrail is among the most significant infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the UK. From improving journey times across London, to easing congestion and offering better connections, Crossrail will provide easier, quicker and more direct travel opportunities across the capital.
Technical details:
The new railway will be a high frequency, high capacity service linking 40 stations between Reading and Heathrow in the west, to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east via 21 km of new twin-bore tunnels under central London and Docklands. It will bring an additional 1.5 million people within 45 minutes commuting distance of London’s key business districts.
Benefits:
Around 200 million passengers will travel on Crossrail each year and the route will provide a 10% increase to rail capacity in central London. It will enable more direct journeys and better interchanges.
Network Rail is responsible for the design, development and delivery of the parts of Crossrail that are on the existing network.
Crossrail had the highest honour of hosting Her Majesty The Queen in February, when it was announced that Crossrail services will be known as the Elizabeth line when the service opens to passengers in 2018.
To find out more about the project:
http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/quarterly-crossrail-update/
http://www.crossrail.co.uk/sustainability/innovation/
(Source: CROSSRAIL)
- Brenner Tunnel – Austria
A project linking Europe
Technical details:
The Brenner Base Tunnel (BBT) is a straight, flat railway tunnel between Austria and Italy. It runs from Innsbruck to Fortezza (55 km). If we add the Innsbruck railway bypass, which has already been built and which is the endpoint for the Brenner Base Tunnel, the entire tunnel system through the Alps is 64 km long. It is the longest underground rail link in the world.
The Brenner Base Tunnel is the heart of the Scandinavia-Mediterranean TEN Corridor from Helsinki to La Valletta, Malta. The European Union is promoting the expansion of this transnational multimodal corridor and considers this work to be high-priority. The Brenner Base Corridor, as a cross-border project linking Austria and Italy, is particularly important.
Benefits:
The BBT is meant primarily for freight transport, allowing a modal shift of traffic from road to rail. Passenger trains can also travel through the tunnel. Thanks to the virtually horizontal tunnel train traffic will no longer have to contend with the steep up- and downhill slopes on the Brenner railway line that by now is over 140 years old.
Planning and construction phases:
Phase I: preliminary project and prospection: 1999-2003
Phase II: final project and Environmental Impact Assessment: 2003-2010
Phase IIa: exploratory section: 2007-2013
Phase III: main tunnel: 2011-2025
Four construction sites are currently in operation, two in Austria and two in Italy.
To find out more about the project:
http://www.bbt-se.com/en/project/
http://www.bbt-se.com/en/project/construction-progress/
(Source: BBT SE)
Across the globe
- MARMARAY Project – Turkey
Technical details:
The Marmaray Project aims to connect the national rail network between the European and Asian sides of Turkey with a tunnel under the Bosphorus for continuous passenger and freight flow by rail. The line starts at Halkali on the European side, crosses the Bosphorus ends at Gebze. It is 76 km long, 63 km of which is on the surface and the rest underground.
The route of the Marmaray Project can be seen on the map. It starts at Halkali on the European side of Istanbul, goes under the Bosphorus via the Marmaray Tunnel and connects to Gebze on the Asian side.
There are three important steps taken within the scope of the project:
- Construction of a rail tunnel with double track under the Bosphorus connecting Europe and Asia
- Removal of double track surface lines going through the city from east to west on both sides of Istanbul and construction of three lines instead.
- Reconstruction of stations in the city for fast and high capacity suburban service.
Benefits:
The city of Istanbul, like so many others, is being crippled by heavy road traffic, pollution and limited high-capacity transport systems. The Marmaray project, apart from cutting pollution, will significantly aid the development of the railway system in Turkey, which is completing its first high-speed railway line linking the capital city Ankara with Istanbul – ultimately reducing journey times by more than three hours between these two major population centres.
The 76.3km rail link was inaugurated in October 2013 on the 90th anniversary of the Turkish Republic.
UIC was present to inaugurate that special moment:
http://uic.org/com/uic-e-news/371
The whole project is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2017.
To find out more about the project:
http://railturkey.org/2016/03/03/frequently-asked-questions-about-marmaray-project/
http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/marmaray/
- Saudi Railway Master Plan – Saudi Arabia
Technical details:
The main objective of the Saudi Railway Master Plan 2010 - 2040 (SRMP) is to have a conceptual framework in place for the long term development of a future passenger and freight transport network for the Kingdom. This development strategy incorporates the key findings of SANTRAPLAN3, the National Transportation Strategy (NTS) and other strategic planning documents for the Kingdom.
Benefits:
The overall development strategy of the SRMP corresponds to the NTS Vision which is:
“To develop and maintain a multimodal transportation system, serving the needs of society by ensuring a safe, efficient and technologically advanced transport system that promotes social and economic development and international competitiveness, and ensures a healthy and secure environment for its citizens.”
On the basis of the defined goals and objectives the NTS determined policies and an action program as practical basis for the further development of the transport network and transport operations. These policies lay the ground for the development of the Saudi railway system and have been taken into account in the SRMP.
- First Level Projects (high priority): development stage 1 from 2010 – 2025 approximate length: 5,500 km
- Second Level Projects (medium priority): development stage 2 from 2026 – 2033 approximate length: 3,000 km
- Third Level Projects (minor priority): development stage 3 from 2034 – 2040 approximate length: 1,400 km
To find out more about the project:
(Source: SRO)
- Construction of High Speed Rail – United States
Technical details:
The high-speed rail system is being built through a series of design-build contracts. Work within a design-build contract cannot begin until a project section has been environmentally cleared. Currently, the Authority has identified four design build contracts in the Central Valley:
- Construction Package 1 – Design-Build Contract Awarded in August 2013
Construction Package 1 (CP 1) is the first significant construction contract executed on the Initial Operating Section of the high-speed rail project - Construction Package 2-3: Design-Build Contract Awarded in June 2015*
Construction Package 2-3 (CP 2-3) represents the continuation of construction on the California high-speed rail system south towards Kern County. CP 2-3 will extend in excess of 60 miles from the terminus of Construction Package 1 at East American Avenue in Fresno to approximately one mile north of the Tulare-Kern County line - Construction Package 4
Construction Package 4 (CP 4) is the third design-build construction contract for the high-speed rail program. - Construction Package 5 – To be announced
Benefits:
California high-speed rail will connect the mega-regions of the state, contribute to economic development and a cleaner environment, create jobs and preserve agricultural and protected lands. By 2029, the system will run from San Francisco to the Los Angeles basin in under three hours at speeds capable of over 200 miles per hour. The system will eventually extend to Sacramento and San Diego, totaling 800 miles with up to 24 stations. In addition, the Authority is working with regional partners to implement a statewide rail modernization plan that will invest billions of dollars in local and regional rail lines to meet the state’s 21st century transportation needs.
To find out more about the project:
http://www.hsr.ca.gov/Programs/Construction/about_construction_package_1.html
http://www.hsr.ca.gov/Programs/Construction/index.html
http://www.hsr.ca.gov/Newsroom/fact_sheets.html
(Source: CHSRA)
