On June 1, 2016, the world witnessed an extraordinary birth. It was not a child, but a giant of rock and technology: the Gotthard Base Tunnel (also GBT). Today, ten years on from that day, it is natural to look at this engineering feat with the same tenderness and wonder with which one observes a child hitting the double-digit milestone.
Ten years. A decade that, for a human being, marks the transition from childhood to pre-adolescence.
The first steps: the enthusiasm of childhood (2016-2018)#
Like every child learning to walk, the tunnel also had to face the learning phase in its environment. Inaugurated in a climate of global celebration, the first two years were like the “first year of school.” After the long gestation period – nearly twenty years of excavations – the tunnel finally began to breathe. Trains sped through, train drivers learned every centimeter of that unique track in the world, and passengers felt the thrill of crossing the Alps in the blink of an eye. It was a lively child, ready to amaze and proud to finally be able to run.
Discovering the world: school age (2019-2022)#
As it grew, the Gotthard began to understand its role in the world. It was no longer just an engineering curiosity, but had become an integral part of the daily lives of thousands of people. Like a young boy starting to understand responsibility, the tunnel consolidated its routine. It learned to manage flows, regulate the pace of travel, and connect the north and south of Europe with almost obsessive punctuality. In this phase, it built its reputation: solid, reliable, fundamental. It was the time when it integrated perfectly into the social and economic fabric of the continent.
Learning from challenges: adolescence (2023-2026)#
We arrive at the last few years, those that correspond to adolescence. And like every pre-adolescent, our tunnel also had to deal with reality and some “growing pains.” There were unforeseen events, extraordinary maintenance, and technical challenges – like the 2023 derailment – that put its resilience to the test. In those moments, the tunnel had to “mature” quickly, showing it knew how to face adversity and return stronger than before. It was the phase where it understood that, even if you are big and powerful, you must take care of yourself and accept the time needed to heal and improve yourself.
A bond born long ago#
Watching it grow has been an indescribable privilege for me. I still hold a clear memory of its “gestation” years, when this work was just an ambitious project, a titanic challenge taking shape before my eyes. Having been a witness to it, and then having shared these ten years of life side-by-side with colleagues who have become true travel companions, is an emotion that goes beyond simple professional duty. We have seen this “child” take its first steps, overcome moments of fragility, and transform into what it is today. It has been a sort of collective parenthood, in which every resolved incident and every reached milestone has cemented a special bond among us, made of the same tenacity and passion that this giant requires every day.
The 10-year milestone: a promising young adult#
Today, June 1, 2026, the Gotthard turns ten. Looking at it from the outside, it appears as a young adult who has already lived a lot, but who has a radiant future ahead. It is no longer “small,” but it has not reached the end either. It is in a phase of perfect balance between acquired maturity and the energy needed to face the decades to come.
It has shortened distances, united cultures, challenged nature, and won. Happy birthday, tunnel giant. May the next ten years be equally rich in adventures, discoveries, and unforgettable journeys.
