World’s Longest Tunnel, Gotthard Base Tunnel, Close to Being Finished

By: | September 8th, 2015

AlpTransit Gotthard

The Swiss Gotthard Base Tunnel, which will be more than 35 miles long making it the world’s longest tunnel, is reportedly close to being completed.

Tests on the Gotthard Base Tunnel will begin on October 1st, upon construction being finished.

The tunnel’s excavation, which began all the way back in 1999, has resulted in more than 31 million tons of earth being excavated and tragically eight deaths among workers.

Ultimately, the Gotthard Base Tunnel will improve travel times across the Swiss Alps, linking Zurich and Milan with trains speeding upwards of 150 miles per hour.

At the moment, the plan is for the tunnel to officially open in June of 2016, with approximately 1,000 people vying for the first ride on the railroad.

Marshall Smith

Technology, engineering, and design enthusiast.

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