Tunnels have become an integral part of modern transportation infrastructure, allowing vehicles to travel quickly and efficiently through mountains, under rivers, and across difficult terrain. Car tunnels are designed to provide a safer and more convenient alternative to driving on winding mountain roads or congested urban streets. In this article, we’ll explore the top five longest car tunnels in the world.

Lærdal Tunnel, Norway

The Lærdal Tunnel, located in Norway, is the longest road underpass in the world, measuring 24.51 kilometers (15.23 miles) in length. It’s a part of the European Route E16 highway that connects the towns of Lærdal and Aurland in western Norway.

The tunnel was constructed between 1995 and 2000 and opened to traffic in 2000. If we speak about its price, the infrastructural project cost more than 1 billion Norwegian kroner, or around 115 million US dollars. The construction of the world’s longest tunnel created many design and engineering challenges due to specific Norwegian landscapes. Precise drilling was achieved with the help of navigation satellites and computer-controlled drilling rigs.

The Lærdal Tunnel is a two-lane tunnel that is equipped with state-of-the-art safety features, including an advanced ventilation system, emergency phones, and numerous emergency exits. It’s also illuminated with blue and yellow lights, which help reduce driver fatigue and improve visibility.

Gotthard Road Tunnel, Switzerland

The Gotthard Road Tunnel is the second-longest car tunnel in the world, measuring 16.9 kilometers (10.5 miles) in length. It’s located in Switzerland and runs under the Gotthard Massif, connecting municipalities Göschenen in the north and Airolo in the south.

The Gotthard Road Tunnel was opened in 1980 and is a part of the European route E35 highway. It includes a single tube with one lane in each direction that passes through the Gotthard mountain range. Currently, over 17,000 vehicles use this tunnel every day, resulting in frequent traffic jams. The infrastructure is equipped with an extensive ventilation system, as well as numerous emergency phones and exits.

However, the local authorities are worried about fatal accidents, particularly those involving trucks and crashed cars. To reduce congestion on the existing tunnel, the Swiss government has decided to construct a second road tunnel through the Gotthard mountain range.

Seikan Tunnel, Japan

The Seikan Tunnel is a railway tunnel that connects the Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido. It is located beneath the Tsugaru Strait, which separates the two islands, and is considered one of the longest and deepest tunnels in the world.

Construction on the Seikan Tunnel began in 1971 and was completed in 1988, taking a total of 17 years to build. The tunnel is 53.85 kilometers (33.46 miles) long, with 23.3 kilometers (14.5 miles) of that distance located beneath the seabed. It reaches a depth of 240 meters (790 feet) below sea level at its deepest point.

The Seikan Tunnel is used by the Seikan Tunnel Tappi-Shimamaki Line, which is a part of the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) network. The line runs between the cities of Aomori on Honshu and Hakodate on Hokkaido and is a vital transportation link for the region.

The infrastructure is equipped with a ventilation system as well as safety features such as emergency exits, water leakage sensors, and fire extinguishers.

Zhongnanshan Tunnel, China

The Zhongnanshan Tunnel is located in China and is the fourth-longest car tunnel in the world, measuring 18.04 kilometers (11.21 miles) in length. It’s a part of the Lianhuo Expressway that connects the cities of Xi’an and Lanzhou.

The Zhongnanshan Tunnel was opened in 2007. The two tunnel lines provide four-way traffic with a maximum speed of 80 km/h (around 50 mph). They were driven using standard drilling and blasting techniques through gneiss and granitic rocks.

Each of the lines has colored lighting so that drivers don’t lose their attention. Artificial plants and cloud images projected over the roof of the tubular interiors make traveling through the tunnel more enjoyable and also reduce eye strain. The infrastructure is also equipped with an advanced ventilation system, as well as emergency phones and numerous emergency exits.

Mont Blanc Tunnel, France/Italy

The Mont Blanc Tunnel is a major trans-Alpine car tunnel that connects France and Italy, measuring 11.6 kilometers (7.2 miles) in length. It runs beneath the Mont Blanc massif, linking Chamonix in France with Courmayeur in Italy.

The Mont Blanc Tunnel was opened in 1965 and is a two-lane underpass that is equipped with safety features such as emergency phones, video surveillance, and a sophisticated ventilation system.

Wrapping Up

Car tunnels have revolutionized the way we travel by providing a safer and more efficient means of transportation. The longest car tunnels in the world, such as the Lærdal Tunnel in Norway and the Seikan Tunnel in Japan, are engineering marvels that have helped to connect people and places across vast distances. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more impressive tunnels constructed in the future, providing us with even more convenience and efficiency.