The Gotthard Base Tunnel is the jewel in the crown of the NRLA. With a total cost of CHF 12.2 billion, it took 70 years of work and 17 years of construction. In 2020 it was the longest rail tunnel in the world, linking the cantons of Ticino and Uri. The section of line through the Gotthard Base Tunnel is around 30 kilometres shorter than the previous line that ran over the mountain and has enabled capacity to be increased. The new route can handle up to 260 freight trains and 65 passenger trains each day, travelling at speeds of up to 250 km/h. Capacity was restricted to a maximum of 180 freight trains per day on the previous line.