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Restoration works at Simplon Tunnel

After the clearance of the Simplon Tunnel which suffered from a major fire in June, the damaged line section has been thoroughly examined, revealing that the infrastructure was more severely damaged than expected. In consequence of these findings, the Swiss Federal Railway (SBB) decided not to employ provisional repairs as initially planned, but to introduce structural measures to ensure full restoration works on the affected line section until the change of the time table on 11 December 2011. This will create an ideal basis for the already planned renovation of the Simplon Tunnel from 2012-2014.

Jean Chappuis, head of Task Force Simplon, explained the consequences of this decision during an interview:

The restoration works of the damaged line section will continue until the change of the time table in December. Couldn’t operations at Simplon Tunnel be resumed earlier?
Thanks to the full restoration works, the whole infrastructure of the damaged line section will be sustainably recovered. In this way it is possible to protect the tunnel against long-term damages and other possible incidences. It ensures stable and secure conditions in the tunnel which are essential for the already planned renovation works from 2012-2014 and necessary for operations. Provisional repairs hold greater risks which could cause the closure of this rail axis, at the worst. By deciding on full restoration works, the element of risk is reduced. Furthermore, the line capacity on basis of today’s reduced operations is guaranteed.
Thanks to the full restoration works, the whole infrastructure of the damaged line section will be sustainably recovered. In this way it is possible to protect the tunnel against long-term damages and other possible incidences. It ensures stable and secure conditions in the tunnel which are essential for the already planned renovation works from 2012-2014 and necessary for operations. Provisional repairs hold greater risks which could cause the closure of this rail axis, at the worst. By deciding on full restoration works, the element of risk is reduced. Furthermore, the line capacity on basis of today’s reduced operations is guaranteed.
The reduced time table will be maintained until the change of the time table on 11 December. All affected railway undertakings (RUs) were officially informed and are involved in the current time tabling process. For the RUs, this means that no renewed modifications are needed for the time of the planned renovation works.

What does “reduced operations” mean for RUs and customers? Should delays be expected?
A restriction of capacity due to restoration and renovation works becomes apparent mainly for rail freight transport. Parts of the planned Simplon traffic will be redirected via Gotthard-Luino or Gotthard-Chiasso. By shortening the closure of Luino by one week, the simultaneously restriction to capacity at Simplon and via Gotthard/Luino is minimized. However, in consequence of the capacity restrictions, delays may occur.
At this point, I would like to thank customers and RUs for their flexibility with regards to the ad hoc rescheduling of the timetable.

What costs does SBB expect for the whole works?
The full restoration of the tunnel will cost an estimate 12 Million Franken. The employment of provisional repairs would have cost even more.

Do the restoration works of the line section affect the renovation works of the Simplon tunnel?
Not at all, all restorations works will be completed before the beginning of the renovation. Only by implementing full restoration works, operational availability can be guaranteed at all during the renovation of the tunnel until the end of 2014.

How many people are involved in the restoration of the line section?
Two 10-hour shifts of approximately 15 people each are working in the tunnel, reaching the upper limit for logistical and safety reasons. Most works are done mechanically. In addition, for planning purposes, operations, coordination of works, logistics, safety, security and monitoring, approximately 20 – 25 people are constantly engaged outside the tunnel.

 

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