These Beautiful Tunnels Have Fascinating Backstories

Tunnel vision:

Humans have tunnelled and burrowed since the beginning of time, whether for protection, storage, irrigation, or the extraction of natural resources. Our most remarkable tunnels have recently been excavated for transit. We search far and wide to uncover some of the most exquisite tunnels on the planet, ranging from naturally occurring tunnels to restored historic passageways and cutting-edge engineering wonders.

Humans have tunnelled and burrowed since the beginning of time, whether for protection, storage, irrigation, or the extraction of natural resources. Our most remarkable tunnels have recently been excavated for transit. We search far and wide to uncover some of the most exquisite tunnels on the planet, ranging from naturally occurring tunnels to restored historic passageways and cutting-edge engineering wonders.

The Lærdal Tunnel, Norway:

The Laerdal tunnel in West Norway connects the municipalities of Aurland and Lærdal across a distance of 15 miles (24.5 km), eliminating the need for ferries to travel between Oslo and Bergen. World longest road tunnel. After five years of building, the spectacular piece of infrastructure finally opened its doors in 2000. It has three rock chambers that are lit up with colourful lights. It also features a number of modern safety stations equipped with call boxes and emergency gear.

Tokyo Bay Aqua Line, Japan:

A bridge-tunnel that links Kawasaki and Kisarazu crosses Tokyobay. The highway's tunnel section is one of the world's longest underwater tunnels, spanning almost six miles (9.6 km). Umi Hotaru, or sea firefly, is the name of the artificial island where the bridge and tunnel converge. Viewing platforms on the ship-like structure allow drivers to enjoy breathtaking views of Tokyo and the surrounding area while stopping for a break.

The Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland, UK:

The Dark Hedges, an eerie beech tunnel in County Antrim, gained international attention when it served as the setting for the Kingsroad in HBO's Game of Thrones. The Stuart family first planted the deciduous trees in the 18th century to create an impressive entryway to their opulent home, Gracehill House. Currently, a portion of the Bregagh Road, close to Armoy, is surrounded by the ethereal feature. Despite the imposition of traffic bans because of the congestion, the route is public.

Stockholm metro, Sweden:

The 100 stations that make up Stockholm's 66-mile (106-kilometer) tunnel system are decorated with paintings, installations, mosaics, and sculptures, earning the subway system recognition as the longest art museum in the world. Since 1957, artists have been creating magic on the walls of the platforms, waiting areas, and tunnels. The station at Tekniska Högskolan is seen here.

Gotthard Base Tunnel, Switzerland:

The Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland is 35.5 miles (57 km) long and the deepest railway tunnel in the world. It transports passengers beneath the Swiss Alps. Built as a high-speed rail link between Europe's north and south, it descends to a depth of 1.5 miles (2.4 km) beneath the mountains at its deepest point. Utilizing enormous tunnel-boring machines, the tunnel took 17 years to construct and cost £9.3 billion ($12 billion).

Seikan Tunnel, Japan:

It was the Japanese who claimed the world's longest train tunnel before the Swiss. The longest underwater tunnel in the world is now the Seikan Tunnel, which connects Honshu Island, Japan, with Hokkaido, the northern neighbouring island, beneath the Tsugaru Strait. It was constructed for high-speed bullet trains and was finished in 1988. It is 33.4 miles (53.8 km) long overall, with 14.5 miles (23.3 km) under water.

Eisenhower Tunnel, Colorado, USA:

The Eisenhower Tunnel, also known as the Eisenhower–Edwin C. Johnson Memorial Tunnel, was a remarkable engineering marvel when it opened as part of Interstate 70 in 1979 and is located at an altitude of more than 11,000 feet (3,400 meters). It is the longest mountain tunnel in the nation, the highest point on the interstate system, and the tallest vehicular tunnel in the world. To facilitate transport between Colorado's eastern and western sides, the innovative dual-bore tunnel was dug out of the Rockies and spans the Continental Divide.

Channel Tunnel, UK and France:

The Channel Tunnel is the third-longest train tunnel in the world, spanning more than 30 miles (50.5 km). The railway, which takes around 35 minutes to traverse, crosses the English Channel to link Folkestone, England, with Coquelles, France. At its deepest point, the railway is situated 246 feet (75 meters) below the surface. It consists of two train tunnels and a third service tunnel. It was built between 1988 and 1994. The American Society of Civil Engineers has named it one of the seven contemporary Wonders of the World.

Mont Blanc Tunnel, France and Italy:

In 1965, the Mount Blanc Tunnel became the world’s longest road tunnel at 7.2 miles (11.6 km), another marvel of contemporary engineering. It still serves as a critical conduit today, carrying truck truckers and skiers alike, as it passes beneath Europe's highest peak, Mont Blanc, to connect Chamonix in France with Courmayeur in the Aosta Valley of Italy. Nearly precisely beneath the peak, the tunnel descends more than 8,000 feet (2,500 meters) into the surface.