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[[File:Gotthard-basistunnel02-hannes-ortlieb.jpg|thumb|The Gotthard Base Tunnel]]

[[File:Gotthard-basistunnel02-hannes-ortlieb.jpg|thumb|The Gotthard Base Tunnel]]

'''Gotthard Base Tunnel''' runs 57 kilometers (around 35 miles) through the [[Swiss Alps]], and it opened on June 1, 2016.<ref>[https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/oct/15/joyous-swiss-celebrate-longest-tunnel-breakthrough/ Joyous Swiss celebrate longest tunnel breakthrough], ''The Washington Times'' (from the Associated Press), October 15, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36423250 Gotthard tunnel: World's longest and deepest rail tunnel opens in Switzerland]. ''BBC''. June 1, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref> As of its opening, it is the longest tunnel in the world. The tunnel was a part of the [[AlpTransit]] program, which sought to improve rail travel speeds from the north to south and advance European integration.<ref>[https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/overview/ AlpTransit: Overview]. ''alptransit-portal.ch''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref><ref>Barrow, Keith (June 15, 2016). [http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/europe/gotthard-base-tunnel-the-final-straight.html Gotthard Base Tunnel: the final straight]. ''railjournal.com''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref>

'''Gotthard Base Tunnel''' runs 57 kilometers (around 35 miles) through the [[Swiss Alps]], and it opened on June 1, 2016.<ref>[https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/oct/15/joyous-swiss-celebrate-longest-tunnel-breakthrough/ Joyous Swiss celebrate longest tunnel breakthrough], ''The Washington Times'' (from the Associated Press), October 15, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36423250 Gotthard tunnel: World's longest and deepest rail tunnel opens in Switzerland]. ''BBC''. June 1, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref> As of its opening, it is the longest tunnel in the world. The tunnel was a part of the [[AlpTransit]] program, which sought to improve rail travel speeds from the north to south and advance European integration.<ref>[https://www.alptransit-portal.ch/en/overview/ AlpTransit: Overview]. ''alptransit-portal.ch''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref><ref>Barrow, Keith (June 15, 2016). [http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/europe/gotthard-base-tunnel-the-final-straight.html Gotthard Base Tunnel: the final straight]. ''railjournal.com''. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref>

The Gotthard Base Tunnel started normal operations on December 11, 2016.<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/hurtling-into-history_first-full-day-of-service-for-gotthard-rail-tunnel/42753636 First full day of service for Gotthard rail tunnel]. ''Swissinfo''. December 11, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.</ref> In its first eight months of normal operations, north-south passenger traffic increased by about 30%.<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/railway-travel_gotthard-rail-tunnel-boosts-north-south-traffic-by-a-third/43382304 Gotthard rail tunnel boosts north-south traffic by a third]. ''Swissinfo''. August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2017.</ref>

The Gotthard Base Tunnel started normal operations on December 11, 2016.<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/hurtling-into-history_first-full-day-of-service-for-gotthard-rail-tunnel/42753636 First full day of service for Gotthard rail tunnel]. ''Swissinfo''. December 11, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.</ref> In its first eight months of normal operations, north-south passenger traffic increased by about 30%.<ref>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/railway-travel_gotthard-rail-tunnel-boosts-north-south-traffic-by-a-third/43382304 Gotthard rail tunnel boosts north-south traffic by a third]. ''Swissinfo''. August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2017.</ref>

==Bizarre opening ceremony==

==Bizarre opening ceremony==

On the opening day on June 1, 2016, the Swiss government organized a very bizarre and disturbing ceremony that was widely reported by the media.<ref>Multiple references:

On the opening day on June 1, 2016, the Swiss government organized a very bizarre and disturbing ceremony that was widely reported by the media.<ref>Multiple references:

*{{cite web | title=Switzerland Tunnel: The Oddest Moments of the Opening Ceremony | url=http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-36428799 | date=June 1, 2016 | publisher=[[BBC]] | accessdate=December 27, 2016}}

*{{cite web | title=Switzerland Tunnel: The Oddest Moments of the Opening Ceremony | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-36428799 | date=June 1, 2016 | publisher=[[BBC]] | accessdate=December 27, 2016}}

*{{cite web | title=World Agog at Bizarre Gotthard Base Tunnel Opening | url=http://www.thelocal.ch/20160601/world-agog-at-bizarre-gotthard-base-tunnel-opening | date=June 1, 2016 | publisher=''[[The Local]]'' | accessdate=December 27, 2016}}

*{{cite web | title=World Agog at Bizarre Gotthard Base Tunnel Opening | url=http://www.thelocal.ch/20160601/world-agog-at-bizarre-gotthard-base-tunnel-opening | date=June 1, 2016 | publisher=''[[The Local]]'' | accessdate=December 27, 2016}}

*{{cite web | last1=McLelland | first1=Euan | last2=Robinson | first2=Julian | title=A Winged Baby, Semi-Naked Dancers and a Man With a Bird's Nest on His Head: How Switzerland Decided to Mark Opening of World's Longest Rail Tunnel | url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3620446/A-winged-baby-semi-naked-dancers-man-bird-s-nest-head-Switzerland-decided-mark-opening-world-s-longest-rail-tunnel.html | date=June 1, 2016 | publisher=''[[Daily Mail]]'' | accessdate=December 27, 2016}}

*{{cite web | last1=McLelland | first1=Euan | last2=Robinson | first2=Julian | title=A Winged Baby, Semi-Naked Dancers and a Man With a Bird's Nest on His Head: How Switzerland Decided to Mark Opening of World's Longest Rail Tunnel | url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3620446/A-winged-baby-semi-naked-dancers-man-bird-s-nest-head-Switzerland-decided-mark-opening-world-s-longest-rail-tunnel.html | date=June 1, 2016 | publisher=''[[Daily Mail]]'' | accessdate=December 27, 2016}}