Gotthard Base Tunnel: Festival site is postponed due to natural hazard
On June 4 and 5, 2016, the Gotthard Base Tunnel will be opened with a large public festival. This will take place simultaneously at four fairgrounds in Erstfeld, Rynächt and in the Pollegio/Biasca area. SBB is moving the festival site in Biasca to the station. This is a precautionary reaction to changes in the rock above the originally planned location.
SBB continuously monitors natural hazards, as its network and structures are exposed at certain points. As part of the preparations for the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel, it has again examined the rock face above the originally planned festival site in Biasca. In the process, unstable-looking rock sections were identified, as the SBB communications department writes.
New at the station
As a precautionary measure, it was decided to move the festival site in Biasca. The public event in Biasca will now take place at the railroad station. Here, visitors to the festival will find various rolling stock and an exhibition on freight traffic on the Gotthard axis. Individual exhibits will now be shown in Pollegio or Erstfeld instead of Biasca. The safety of visitors is guaranteed at all times, it says.
The safety of the approximately 170 employees at the Biasca Preservation and Intervention Center is also guaranteed, it is reported. There are no permanent workplaces in this area. SBB is constantly monitoring the slope.
Opening festivals in north and south
In Erstfeld, Rynächt and in the Pollegio/Biasca area, a diverse program will be offered on four festival sites on June 4 and 5, 2016. The new preservation and intervention center in Erstfeld will also be open to visitors. A rolling stock show will feature trains and locomotives from then and now. SBB Cargo will visualize the container volume of a Gotthard Base Tunnel train in a container tower. The Gottardo partners as well as Uri and Ticino will also be present with attractive presentations. The supporting program includes performances by Knackeboul and an artistic staging. Self-driving vehicles, robots, drones and more can be marveled at in the pavilions on the mobility of the future. Further information here.
