The famous Channel Tunnel

The English Channel is a strait between two European countries - England and France. In 1994, a tunnel under the Channel was opened - the greatest engineering structure. Its total length is more than fifty kilometers, thirty-eight kilometers are laid under the water. The creation of this unique structure has a long history. In 1802, French architect Albert Mathieu developed a bridge construction project, and a year later a similar plan appeared in England.

For the sake of justice, I must say that in those days it was not about the need for a tunnel under the Channel, the construction of a bridge over the strait was being discussed. It had to be a huge structure, consisting of spans, five kilometers long, suspended on extra-strong ropes. The idea was rejected, experts were apprehensive about the scale of construction. Until this time, bridges of this size have not yet been built.

Until the middle of the twentieth century, engineers and scientists of the two countries developed projects and plans. Seriously, they began to think about building a tunnel under the Channel in 1955. And not only reflected, but also started construction, dug foundation pits, but the energy crisis forced the construction to be suspended for a long eleven years, when the two governments announced their intention to continue work. True, the agreement stipulated that only private companies could finance a tunnel under the Channel on both sides for their own funds.

Nine most worthy projects were selected and during the year were conducted conversation. A year later the best project was chosen. Initially, it was supposed to lay two railway lines in the tunnel, and alongside them a highway, but the idea to build an automobile tunnel under the Channel had to be abandoned.

The arguments were very convincing: a car accident in a tunnel is much more likely than a train crash, and its consequences can paralyze the movement for a long time. In addition, the mass of cars on both sides would lead to a gas contamination of the tunnel, and in order to get rid of it, it would take a powerful ventilation system.

Since everyone knows that a trip in the tunnel tires the driver, it was decided to stop on a project written in 1960, and finally finalized in the 70's. Work began at first in England, and three months later in France. Huge specialized machines worked at a speed of one kilometer per month. The work was carried out at a depth of forty-five meters

The completion of the construction of railway tunnels under the English Channel occurred in June 1991. But this construction was not completed. It was necessary to excavate the service or operational tunnel, and lay two rails in two. As a result of the competition, which involved more than 2000 firms, the order received Russian construction organizations.

Officially, the tunnel under the Channel was opened in 1994. The solemn event was attended by Queen Elizabeth and French President Mitterrand. Under the Channel, 3 tunnels have been built, 2 railways, along which the trains run in two directions. The third is official: it performs operational functions.