The 57km Gotthard base tunnel will provide a high-speed rail link under the Swiss Alps between northern and southern Europe. It took 17 years at cost of US$12 billion to complete the task.
The world's longest and deepest rail tunnel has officially opened in Switzerland, after almost two decades of construction work.
The 57km Gotthard base tunnel will provide a high-speed rail link under the Swiss Alps between northern and southern Europe. It took 17 years at cost of US$12 billion to complete the task.
The tunnel has overtaken Japan's 53.9km Seikan rail tunnel as the longest in the world and pushed the 50.5km Channel Tunnel linking the UK and France into third place.
On Wednesday two trains set off in opposite directions through the tunnel, each carrying hundreds of guests who had won tickets in a draw.
Once it opens for commercial service in December, the two-way tunnel will take up to 260 freight trains and 65 passenger trains per day.