Back to overview

The construction site

The construction site -

Work is being done on your behalf in Albula. The original Albula Tunnel, which has been linking up the Engadin region faithfully for more than 110 years, is coming to the end of its useful life, and now needs either extensive repairs or complete rebuild. After examining in detail the two alternatives of repairing or rebuilding, the RhB took the decision in 2010 to build a completely new metre-gauge railway tunnel, and convert the existing structure into a safety tunnel. The clinching arguments in this respect were the relatively minor difference in cost, the lack of relevant disruption to timetabling, and considerably improved safety.

The new Albula Tunnel does not in principle suppose any increase in capacity. The section between Spinas and Preda will continue to be single-track, as there are no long-term plans for the timetabling of additional traffic. It was for this reason that the expensive option of a two-track tunnel was not taken up. However, the new tunnel will mean an extension of the token system currently in force between Preda and Sanam. A token system ensures that all trains entering and leaving a particular section of line are controlled and monitored. The train only receives the token for entering the corresponding section of line if it is free of other trains. A token system is in force between the northern and southern entrances of the old Albula Tunnel. This means that only one train can ever be present in the tunnel at a given time. In the new Albula Tunnel, an additional token-transfer point in the middle of the almost six-kilometre-long tunnel will allow two trains to operate in the tunnel in the same direction and at the same time.

  • The objectives of this centennial construction project are therefore as follows:

  • A new, single-track railway tunnel running parallel to the existing Albula Tunnel

  • Modification and extension of the stations in Preda and Spinas to make them suitable for disabled passengers

  • High levels of safety, thanks to a protected escape route running via transverse accesses that link the new tunnel to its original, refurbished counterpart

  • Continuation of railway operations during the building work

  • Sustainability – the new tunnel has been designed to stand for another hundred years

  • The structure conforms to the demanding requirements of both an Alpine environment and the corresponding UNESCO World Heritage specifications

 

Moreover, the operating concept is based on the following key factors:

 

Maximum train speed:

    

120km/h

Train frequencies:

    

According to timetable – with no special or service trains: 45 passengers and goods trains per day

Suspension of traffic at nigh:

    

No trains are to run through the tunnel between 22.30 and 5.00 hrs. Routine maintenance tasks can be carried out during this period.

Financing the Albula Tunnel

Guaranteeing the mobility needs of Switzerland’s population, regardless of their region of residence, is one of the basic commitments of the country’s federal government. The total cost of financing the Albula Tunnel (about CHF 345.5 million) has been met jointly by the federal and cantonal governments.

The Rhaetian Railway is grateful to both of them for their valuable financial assistance.

 

 

Tunnel building / initial construction

        

61,2%

Railway infrastructure

        

5,1%

Operating and safety equipment

        

1,4%

Electrical systems

        

6,1%

Project design, planning, site management, additional costs

        

12,8%

Unforeseen situations

        

8,7%

Rises in prices

        

4,7%

Total costs of investment

        

CHF 345,5 million

 

You can obtain further information concerning the various topics of the construction sites at Preda and Spinas from the textes below:

Facts and Figures of the new Albula Tunnel

Facts and Figures of the new Albula Tunnel

The project of the construction of the new Albula Tunnel has been planned since a long time. Read more about the facts and figures of the tunnel as well as the different steps to be achieved over the years.

At work for the rebuilding of the Albula Tunnel

At work for the rebuilding of the Albula Tunnel

Many employees will be contributing, over the next few years, to the successful completion of the Albula Tunnel project. Professionals from various sectors will be making a collaborative effort on the extensive construction site.

Workers - nothing functions without them

Workers - nothing functions without them

More than 1,300 men were engaged on the building of the Albula Tunnel between 1898 and 1903. Now, over 110 years later, technology has developed to such an extent that we employ between only 50 and 80 people at the Preda and Spinas ends.

The excavated material will be recycled

The excavated material will be recycled

The freshly excavated rock is to be evaluated in the tunnel to determine its characteristics, and assigned to a class of materials. It is then to be transported to the handling facility in Preda, where the material is to be offloaded and placed in interim bunker storage before being sent to its final destination.

Customised transport solutions of the RhB's goods railway

Customised transport solutions of the RhB's goods railway

To guarantee the transfers between the two construction sites but also the timely delivery of the necessary materials and goods from the external partner to the construction site the RhB has developed three customised transport solutions.

Tunneling at the Albula Tunnel

Tunneling at the Albula Tunnel

Tunnelling is to take place from the Preda and Spinas ends simultaneously. This chronologically parallel excavation promises to ensure fast completion and the necessary degree of flexibility, if an incident should occur at one or both ends. It also ensures fast arrival at the point where high-quality rock containing Albula granite can be extracted for further use.

Machinery and equipment

Machinery and equipment

An uncountable number of vehicles, machines and other items of equipment operate on a site of this size. People not employed in the sector often find it difficult to visualise the purpose and operation of these items of equipment. The following list explains the details of some of the key vehicles and items of machinery and equipment used on a building site.

Refurbishment of the stations at Preda and Spinas

Refurbishment of the stations at Preda and Spinas

The train stations at Preda and Spinas are both subject to construction due to the rebuilding of the new Albula Tunnel. Not only are new railway tracks laid to connect with the new tunnel, there are also several renovations carried out at the technical buildings in the area. However, the renovations are always conducted to meet the alpine architectural standard of the region.

Safety takes top priority!

Safety takes top priority!

The construction of a new metre-gauge tunnel in parallel to the existing rail tunnel will significantly increase the safety of the railway for the future. This system, with its safety and rescue tunnel, conforms to current technical standards and statutory regulations. If an incident should ever occur, train passengers will be able to use the transverse accesses to enter the “old” Albula Tunnel and safely reached the exit.

Safety in the construction of the new Albula Tunnel

Safety in the construction of the new Albula Tunnel

The RhB’s top priority is to ensure the well-being of its passengers and employees. This applies as much to the normal working environment as it does to the major construction project involving the Albula Tunnel. A project-specific concept has therefore been drawn up to ensure the safety of everyone involved in construction work.

For the sake of the environment, our roots and our children

For the sake of the environment, our roots and our children

The construction of an item of infrastructure like the new Albula Tunnel also influences the surrounding landscape, the environment and local people. The RhB maintains a careful approach to nature, and any interventions that are necessary take full account of local circumstances and rights to protection. Various environment-protection measures were implemented before building work began, and others will remain in force long after it is complete.

The patron saint of miners and tunnel builders

The patron saint of miners and tunnel builders

Many construction workers worldwide revere Saint Barbara as their patroness and preventer of mining and tunnelling accidents. She is a key female figure for early Christians, who were martyred for their beliefs in Roman times. Her name day on 4th December is observed by miners, and also by artillerymen, geologists, blasting specialists and others.

Deutsch / English / Italiano / Rumantsch Grischun

Deutsch / English / Italiano / Rumantsch Grischun

Zur Sprachauswahl

A la selezione lingue

To language selection

Tier la selecziun da linguatg