Order of Kilopi
May 1, 2005
"Swiss engineers have blasted through the last few metres of rock to complete a new Alpine rail tunnel that could change the face of European transport. The Loetschberg tunnel is 34km (21 miles) long, and runs on a route from Germany to the north of Italy...is meant to move cargo off the roads and onto rail...scheduled to open in 2007..."
Established Member
Wow that sounds great. Rail travel is far more efficient than (what did it say?) over 4,000 heavy lorries a day
I find it amazing how they can build a 34km long tunnel under mountains. Not sure I would want to be one of the working crew though.
Established Member
Ditto on that last thought. EMP! Every pix I've ever seen of tunneling looks hellish.
I don't know the nature of the rock they had to go thru, but I would think it would be an easier dig than the Chunnel.
Established Member
Guardian Unlimited article Slightly more detail news
International Tunneling Association article: technical details including geology.
Basically it's a hard rock blasting job rather than the chalk marl 'worm' drilling used for the Chunnel.
Order of Kilopi
Open Sesame!June 15, 2007
With a ceremony that went off like a classic Swiss timepiece, officials Friday inaugurated the world's longest overland tunnel...
MSN
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