I was browsing the web and I came across this interesting news. The Swiss celebrated the completion of a $10 billion project 60 years in the making. It beats Japan's 33.5 mile tunnel with their own 35.4 mile tunnel. The new Gotthard Base Tunnel is seen as an important milestone in the creation of a high speed transportation network connecting all corners of Europe. First conceived in 1947 by Engineer Eduard Gruner, it will allow millions of tons of goods that are currently transported through the Alps on heavy trucks to be shifted onto the rails, particularly on the economically important link between the Dutch port of Rotterdam and Italy's Mediterranean port of Genoa. The tunnel also aims to reduce the damage that heavy trucks are inflicting on Switzerland's pristine Alpine landscape. The $10 billion tunnel will be opened for rail traffic in 2017 but Swiss engineers are hoping to complete the rail tunnel even sooner than planned.
Here is a little clip:
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/ap_av/av_ap3_wl/3438cb3008d201afda481a48e405657d/38036074;_ylt=AmQtCQV5QXRPqywKKpJ788Nk24cA;_ylu=X3oDMTE5MHFjb2xmBHBvcwMxBHNlYwN5bl9yX3RvcF92aWRlbwRzbGsDbWFjaGluZWJyZWFr/*http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/22462176
Here are some pictures:
I remember hearing about this tunnel in the process of being built many years ago. It certainly is a monumental achievement. This railway will help preserve the landscape and drastically cut down on pollution being emitted by transports that emit greater volumes of greenhouse gasses. I hope to ride through it one day.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tim on this one. With this development, not only will transportation of goods be better utilized but the pollution from greenhouse gases should be lowered. Score one for good enviromental thinking.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard about this before, it was very interesting to read. $10 billion dollars, 60 years in the making and the end result is a tunnel 35.4 miles long. It was interesting to read that it is going to be used to transport good so that trucks to less damage to the roads there which seems great for the environment. I will have to keep my eye out in the future for updates about this and when it actually opens in 7 years.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this tunnel being built before either. Although i agree that it is a great idea and will definatley help cut down on the pollution problem.
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