Switzerland builds the 57-Km long Gotthard Railway Tunnel under the Swiss Alps

The Swiss have built the 57-Km long Gotthard Railway Tunnel under the snow capped peaks of the Swiss Alps. This is the longest railway tunnel in the world and will improve European trade and travel. It took 17 years to build at a cost of 12.2 billion Swiss francs. True to Swiss tradition, the massive project was completed on time and within the budget.
This has been reported in nzherald.co.nz dated 2 June 2016.

There are many tunnels that crisscross the Swiss Alps. The Gotthard Pass itself already has two -- the first, also for trains, was built in 1882. But the Gotthard base tunnel has now become a record-setter - it eclipses Japan's 53.8 kilometre Seikan Tunnel which was the world's longest. Moreover, the Gotthard tunnel is also deeper than any other tunnel - at its maximum depth, it runs about 2.3 kilometres underground. The impact of Gotthard tunnel will be felt across Europe for decades. While cutting down travel time, it will also ease roadway traffic and reduce the air pollution spewed from trucks traveling between Europe's north and south. It is scheduled to open for commercial service in December. The two-way tunnel can handle up to 260 freight trains and 65 passenger trains on a daily basis. The tunnel journey takes about 20 minutes for passenger trains.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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80-storey tower coming up in the Swiss Alps to put London’s Shard in the shade

#theshard #swissalps #ThomMayne #tallesttower Once completed, it would be Europe's tallest skyscraper and will stand more than 70 metres higher than the Shard. This 80-storey luxury hotel tower is proposed to be built in the tiny hamlet of Vas, in the Swiss Alps. It is a sleepy Swiss village bit would not remain a sleepy village for long.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 27 March 2015.

The hotel tower would be designed by Los Angeles architect Thom Mayne and its plans have been unveiled. It would stand tall at 381 metres (1250ft) and the slim, glassy skyscraper would mirror the surrounding mountainous landscape.
This would be Europe's tallest skyscraper and will stand at more than 70 metres above London's Shard. Moreover, the 53,000-square-metre building planned to be opened in 2019 will have 107 guest rooms and suites, apart from spas, a ballroom and a library, restaurants, a cafe, bar, sky bar and a gallery. It will also feature a swimming pool and fitness center.
Incidentally, each of the floors would have just one room that would offer exclusive panoramic views of the Alps.

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