The Swiss government has been asked to grant an extra US$730M for the AlpTransit tunnels at Gotthard and Lötschberg. Sources indicate that this 23% increase over the approved budget may not be the end of calls for extra spending. The Swiss senate has already approved the extra funds, but will have to wait for final approval until the House of Representatives votes on the proposal in March. The Federal Department of Transport are said to be surprised by the increase, which is due to geological problems on the Gotthard tunnel and additional scope on the Lötschberg tunnel.
