World's longest rail tunnel to open in Switzerland under Alps
by Philip Oltermann from Technology | The Guardian on (#1FMPZ)
EU heads to take 57km maiden voyage in a11bn Gotthard base tunnel on Wednesday
Measuring 57 km in length, situated 2.3km deep under the Alps and having cost a11bn to complete, Switzerland's Gotthard base tunnel is more than just the world's longest and most expensive tunnelling project.
At a time of rising nationalism and closing borders, European leaders will also hope it can serve as a reminder that the continent can still smash barriers when it manages to pull together.