World's longest tunnel

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This was published 13 years ago

World's longest tunnel

13 Images

A giant drilling machine broke through on the world's longest tunnel beneath the Swiss Alps in October 2010, paving the way for continuous high-speed rail travel between northern and south-eastern Europe.

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A giant drilling machine will complete the world's longest tunnel beneath the Swiss Alps today, paving the way for continuous high-speed rail travel between northern and southeastern Europe.Credit:Reuters

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Miners stand in front of the "gaby" drill digging the world's longest tunnel.Credit:Reuters

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A worker stands at the construction site of the NEAT Gotthard Base Tunnel.Credit:Reuters

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A journalist takes a picture of the 57kms railway tunnel under construction in the Alps at Sedrun.Credit:AFP

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The Sedrun entrance to the 57kms railway tunnel under construction under the Alps at Sedrun.Credit:AFP

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The ceremonial breakthrough in the 57-kilometre long Gotthard base tunnel through the foot of the Alps is due to take place 30 kilometres from one end and 2000 metres below a mountain.Credit:Reuters

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A general view of the 57kms railway tunnel under construction under the Alps at Sedrun.Credit:AFP

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European Union Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas on Tuesday called the new Gotthard tunnel 'a remarkable project'.Credit:Reuters

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A statue of Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners, stands in a shrine at the construction site of the NEAT Gotthard Base Tunnel.Credit:Reuters

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Visitors stand at the construction site of the NEAT Gotthard Base Tunnel at the Erstfeld-Amsteg section.Credit:Reuters

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A worker pauses at the construction site of the NEAT Gotthard Base Tunnel.Credit:Reuters

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By the time it opens for service in 2017, it will exceed the 53.8-kilometre Seikan rail tunnel linking the Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido.Credit:Reuters

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Eight of some 2500 tunnel workers have died since construction of the new railway link began in central Switzerland 15 years ago.Credit:Reuters