Seven Wonder of the Modern World: Channel Tunnel

This modern marvel is more than one of the fastest and cheapest means of travels it is also been given the title of one of the seven modern wonders of the world. Transportation between London and Paris has become very efficient It takes just 2 hr and 15 min to cover the distance. The Channel tunnel is 50.5 kilometers (31 miles) long and is a rail tunnel which lies under the sea beneath English Channel. It links together the United Kingdom with northern France, with the 39km (24 miles) undersea section being the longest undersea tunnel in the world, second only to the Seikan tunnel in Japan.

The Channel tunnel is 50.5 kilometers (31 miles) long and is a rail tunnel which lies under the sea beneath English Channel. It links together the United Kingdom with northern France ,with the 39km (24 miles) undersea section being the longest undersea tunnel in the world, second only to the Seikan tunnel in Japan.

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The first ever proposal for a tunnel between the UK and France was in 1802. But British political and press pressure over compromised national security stalled attempts to construct a tunnel. The need and the invention of railways made the project more practical. In the making for two centuries the combined efforts of the English and the French made this dream a reality and a modern wonder. In December 1987 ,Tunneling began and was officially opened for travelers by the Queen and France’s then President Mitterrand on 6 May, 1994. The Channel Tunnel has 3 actual tunnels, two Running Tunnels for running trains (one for Eurostar, one for Eurotunnel) and the other is the service tunnel that takes care of maintenance of Chunnel, which is slightly smaller than the other two.The only one of its kind in the world – also acts as a “safe haven” maintained at a higher air pressure and thus remaining free from smoke and fumes. The two main tunnels that are in place are around 30 m apart. And there are cross passages every 375 metres to link them to the service tunnel. The Channel Tunnel is the largest undersea tunnels in the world, as the amount under the sea is 38km. 50 meters below the seabed of the English Channel . Since 1994, 3 fires large enough to necessitate its closure. The first was in 1996, with the second in 2000 and finally the third in 2008. Nobody has been killed in any of those fires. Britain and France have coordinated emergency plans for most contingencies–but they have caused extensive damage to the Chunnel facilities. The Channel Tunnel remains a key link between the UK and France and will continue to do so for many years.

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