Rail Tunnels
The St. Gotthard railway tunnel, close but separate from the expressway tunnel, handles rail traffic on the north-south line in Switzerland. It was opened 1882. In this category, however, it is no longer the record-holder. The Seikan Tunnel in Japan and the Channel Tunnel between the United Kingdom and France are both in excess of 50 km (31 mi).
Under construction since 2002 and projected to be completed by late 2017, the Gotthard Base Tunnel (a second rail tunnel, 57 km long), will be longer than the first one. It is being built for the use of express trains travelling from northern Switzerland to the Ticino area and beyond.
Read more about this topic: Gotthard Road Tunnel
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