Switzerland: A Tunnel Underneath the Alps

Switzerland has unveiled the world’s longest tunnel, connecting the towns of Erstfeld and Bodio and covering 57km in doing so. The Gotthard Tunnel is unique because it burrows 2.3km under the crest of the Swiss Alps, cutting down travel time to a mere 17 minutes. This will make freight transport easier, while cutting down the country’s reliance on diesel lorries, thus decreasing its carbon footprint. This high-speed rail link will be used by 65 passenger trains and 260 freight trains every day and it will also reduce the time for long-haul trains from Zurich to Milan by 45 minutes. The record was previously held by Japan’s 53 km Seikan Rail tunnel