Rail tunnel history in the making

May 28 1990: Transport minister Adolf Ogi (middle) with the director of the federal transport office, Fritz Bürki, to his right, present the bold plans in Bern. Keystone
March 13 1991: the House of Representatives vote overwhelmingly in favour, 118 to 18. Keystone
September 14, 1991: The Green party votes to launch a referendum against the tunnel building, since financing isn't assured. Keystone
May 5, 1992: Together with Europe: Switzerland decides to give priority to rail for freight transport. At the inauguration of the Busto Arsizio II piggyback terminal in Italy, Minister Adolf Ogi (right) poses with Bernd Menzinger, President of the combined transport company, Hupac. Keystone
September 17, 1992: The campaign for the vote is particularly strong in the Alpine canton of Uri, where the Gotthard Base Tunnel is to be constructed. Opponents of the project present the bull symbolizing Uri cut in half by the railway, while supporters oppose them with a pickaxe. Keystone
The campaign in Uri is not limited to posters: Oponnents write 'No to Neat' on the walls. Keystone
And the roads. At the same time, support was also expressed for Switzerland's entry into the European Economic Area (EWR in German), which the people rejected in December, 1992. Keystone
23 June 1992: An information train supporting the tunnel construction tours the country. Keystone
March 1996: Parliament gives the go-ahead for the simultaneous construction of the two tunnels Lötschberg (photo) and Gotthard Base Tunnel. Keystone
November 4, 1999. First blasts at the Gotthard site. The mythical devil from the Gotthard mountain massif is chased off for good. Keystone