Saint Gotthard

Saint Gotthard , mountain group of the Lepontine Alps, S central Switzerland, rising to Pizzo Rotondo (10,472 ft/3,192 m high). The Reuss, Rhine, Ticino, and Rhône rivers rise there. It is crossed by the Saint Gotthard Pass, 6,935 ft (2,114 m) high. The pass, first extensively used in the 11th cent., has been important since then. It is crossed by the St. Gotthard Road (built 1820-30). The St. Gotthard Railway (built 1872-80), which links the northern and southern parts of Switzerland, passes through St. Gotthard Tunnel (9.3 mi/15 km long; maximum alt. 3,786 ft/1,154 m), one of the longest Alpine tunnels. A second, 31-mi (50-km) rail tunnel is planned; it is expected to be completed in 2010. The Saint Gotthard Road Tunnel was opened in 1980; 10.2 mi (16.4 km) long and with a capacity of 1,500 vehicles per hour, it has greatly improved road transportation between Switzerland and Italy. A fiery crash in 2001 closed the road tunnel for two months.