Switzerland's Gotthard Tunnel, closed since Sunday afternoon due to a crack in the ceiling, could reopen to traffic by the end of this week, according to the Swiss Federal Road Office (FEDRO).
Demolition work was expected to begin during the night of Monday to Tuesday on the structure, Switzerland's longest road tunnel.
“Specialists are working hard to reopen the tunnel to traffic soon,” FEDRO said in a statement on Monday afternoon.
The suspended ceiling of the structure, which houses the ventilation system, has to be demolished and replaced over a length of 25 metres.
Security work had already started on Monday afternoon. For instance, it is important that ventilation in the tunnel shaft in question is guaranteed and, according to FEDRO, it is quite a challenge to get this right.
FEDRO attributes the damage to the tunnel to stress differences in the mountain which, in a few places, caused excessive pressure.
This reportedly led to a crack in the ceiling and some falling debris, causing the tunnel to be pre-emptively closed to all traffic.
The Gotthard Tunnel is very popular with motorists travelling to and from Italy.
