Petition forces Gotthard referendum

12 January 2015


SWITZERLAND - Opponents of plans to build a second road tunnel through the Gotthard in central Switzerland have gained enough signatures from the public to force a referendum on the issue. A Swiss public-owned media agency reported that the country’s parliament had approved the CHF 2.7bn (USD 2.65bn) needed to build a second tunnel and renovate the existing bore later this year.

The objections mostly focus on environmental issues, the fear that additional traffic might be generated, the cost of the project, and a previous decision to put all future transalpine traffic through rail links. Supporters argued that a second tunnel is in the interests of road safety and could boost the Gotthard region.

Several political parties, as well as 50 special interest groups are campaigning against the tunnel. A vote could take place as early as June this year. The project was due to start in 2020 and take seven years to complete.