Switzerland Built the Longest Railway Tunnel Under a Mountain

The Gotthard Base Tunnel is the world's longest railway tunnel, allowing trains to bypass the steep climb over the Swiss Alps. This video examines the immense scale of the Gotthard Base Tunnel, which stretches 57 kilometers beneath the mountains. By eliminating the need for winding tracks and steep mountain passes, this project represents a significant achievement in modern railway engineering. We explore how trains enter the rock and remain underground for over 15 minutes, effectively connecting the region through the heart of the mountain. Constructing a passage of this magnitude required overcoming extreme underground temperatures, groundwater, and immense rock pressure. We look at the specialized tunnel boring technology utilized to excavate millions of tons of material, enabling the creation of two parallel tubes. This overview provides a detailed look at the logistics and technical requirements necessary to complete such a massive infrastructure project. Subscribe for weekly engineering breakdowns and share your thoughts on the significance of this tunnel in the comments below.