Transalpine tunnel opens in Switzerland

The third longest tunnel in the world has opened in Switzerland. The 34.6 kilometre-long Loetschberg tunnel runs through the Alps, bringing the cantons of Bern and Valais closer together and considerably reducing travel time. It can accommodate both freight and passenger trains.

Along with the Gotthard Base Tunnel due to open in 2017, the Loetschberg is part of a plan by the Swiss government to create a more efficient rail network and help ease heavy transalpine traffic. It took some eight years to build and cost just over 2.7 billion euros, and will be fully operation in December.

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