World's longest tunnel now slices through the Swiss Alps

Updated
World's Longest Tunnel Now Slices Through The Swiss Alps
World's Longest Tunnel Now Slices Through The Swiss Alps




At long last, the world's longest—and deepest—tunnel lives in Switzerland.

After over 15 years and $10.3 billion, the Gotthard Base Tunnel has finally finished construction.

Slicing through the Swiss Alps, the 35-mile stretch of concrete and steel, fixtures and train tracks is more than double the length of the world's now-second-longest Seikan Tunnel in Japan.

Safety tests are due to begin in October and over 3,000 runs will be made in order to ensure all systems are functioning properly.



Passengers and freight will travel at speeds in excess of 150 miles per hour through the Gotthard Base Tunnel—said to be the safest stretch of railway in Switzerland.

The monumental undertaking is further underscored by the fact that the project remained on schedule the entire time and suffered exactly zero construction delays.

The inaugural journey will occur during a massive festival in June 2016. Regular service goes into effect December 2016.

Advertisement