The Gotthard Tunnel in Switzerland has become one of the grandest buildings of our time. Although the world is more stirred up exactly the opening ceremony. Details will be found later in the article.
Gotthard tunnel
In June 2016, a new one appeared in Switzerland.railway tunnel. Its length was 57 kilometers, and if you consider all pedestrian and service crossings, then all of 153 kilometers. The opening of the Gotthard tunnel was a bright and noisy event. After the builders laid the western and eastern branches, he received the title of the longest in the world.
The southern entrance to the tunnel is not far fromBodio village, north - near the village of Ertsfeld. Approximately 25 million tons of rock was extracted for its laying and spent more than 12 billion dollars. Operation plan to begin only in 2017.
Gotthard tunnel is called base orbasic. In German, this name sounds like Basis and means that it is built right at the foot of a mountain range. Due to this position of the tunnel, the train enters it from a flat section and can quickly pick up speed.
History
The idea and plan of the tunnel emerged in 1947.It was supposed to have a length of 45 kilometers and connect Amsteg and Giorniko. It was planned to make it double-track, with a congress for overtaking in the middle. And the speed of trains, almost as in the modern plan, should have reached 200 kilometers per hour.
Variants of tunnel design repeatedlychanged. The impetus for the final decision was a significant load on the highways. The Gotthard tunnel had to solve this problem, and at the same time reduce the harmful effects of truck exhaust in the clean alpine region.
Preparation of the first works and plans began onlyin 1993. Instead of a double-track tunnel, it was decided to build two single-track ones equipped with stations and congresses. Every 180 meters the tunnels should be connected by pedestrian galleries. Thus, from one corridor one could get into another.
Opening celebration
Opening Day of the Gotthard Tunnel Switzerlandcost a considerable amount and became a real event. The country was not stingy at the ceremony, many media outlets broadcast it online. At the very beginning of the festival the place was consecrated with holy water and blessing. Then the train with passengers simultaneously entered both tunnels.
After the trip, the audience staged a scenica presentation that made many world conspiracy therapists. The action called "Sacred Gotthard" reminded not an actor's performance, but rather an occult ritual. Together with the rhythmically walking workers, strange creatures appeared on the scene, resembling some spirits.
The main person was a man with a goat mask andhorns on his head. The big screen shows how it is released from the rock, trying to prevent the workers. Then frantic dances begin with people in fancy masks and costumes, the performance is accompanied by strange sounds and music.
This area has an old legend connectedwith the construction of a mountain bridge. The devil helped build him in exchange for the soul of the first visitor, but people deceived him by sending a goat instead of a man. So, perhaps, a masquerade is just a tribute to tradition, a free retelling of Swiss fairy tales.
Tunnel value
Gotthard tunnel is significantachievement in engineering. Before him, the longest in the world was considered the Japanese Seikan, which connects the two islands, Honshu and Hokkaido. More than 2500 workers were involved in the construction. The last stages of work were broadcast by local television.
Railway Gotthard tunnel canskip up to three hundred trains a day at a speed of 200-250 km / h. It will be able to cross both freight and passenger trains. Now overcoming the way from Italy to Switzerland will be reduced by about an hour.
The tunnel is part of the Alptranzit project,the total value of which exceeds 20 billion dollars. Its operation will allow to unload the automobile highway, to reduce the negative impact of cars on the ecology of the region. In addition, this method of transportation is considered more efficient and less expensive.
Conclusion
The Gotthard Tunnel is a real victory forcountry. To her, Switzerland literally paved the way for more than seventeen years. The tunnel was the longest in the world, and according to some, and the deepest. In certain places, it reaches a depth of 2.3 kilometers underground.
In the grand railway project were investeddecades and billions. The launch of the tunnel is planned for 2017. In the meantime, the whole world is discussing not so much engineering skill as a grandiose discovery. The ceremony was a real find for lovers of conspiracy theories. Representatives of the church claim that they saw in this the ritual of invoking the devil and the plots from revelation.
