Swiss build world’s longest tunnel

October 16th, 2010 by admin | Filed under News.

Workers are digging tunnels in Sedrun-Switzerland, cheered happily while they light fireworks. They celebrated the successful drilling of the last Gotthard Base Tunnel, the longest tunnel construction project in the world. Excitement that happens on Friday, October 15 last, when the giant drill bit broke through the last layer of tunnel.

The length of the tunnel is about 57 kilometers. Cost an estimated U.S. $ 10 billion or around Rp.90 trillion, the Gotthard Base Tunnel will link high-speed railway network in Europe and according to the plan to be operational by 2017.

“This tunnel is the future. The risk of our joint responsibility,” said the Swiss transport minister, Moritz Leuenberger Switzerland.

Europe televisions broadcast this event live. This major project is a giant-project developed by the Swiss people’s approval through a referendum 20 years ago.

The project involves about 2,500 workers. Dieter Meyer- a German citizen, admitted admiration for this ambitious breakthrough. Switzerland is a small country with a population of less than 8 million people.

Gotthard Base Tunnel construction concept was first compiled in 1947 by engineer Eduard Gruner. One aim is to reduce the dependence of Switzerland on its neighboring countries, especially in high-speed rail sector across Europe. This tunnel is believed will to reverse that condition. (Associated Press)