Construction of the new Gotthard Tunnel, Cedrun, Switzerland

AlpTransit Gotthard is embarking on the Worlds biggest engineering project. Every day, 3000 heavy goods vehicles cross Switzerland and this 57km very straight and flat tunnel, deep below the ground, will run freight trains along the track at 240km/hr.

With plans that the world's longest tunnel should become operational at the end of 2017, today - the 18th October 2010 marks the day the tunnel should be finished in Cedrun, Switzerland.

This pioneering achievement of the 21st century will bring major improvements to travel and transportation systems in the heart of Europe. The new Gotthard rail link will create a high-speed link within Europe, faster trains, better connections, quicker journeys, freight travel will be boosted with the speed. It is said it will reduce the time of travel between Zurich and Milan from 4 hours to 2 and a half hours.

It has taken 14 years, 2000 tunnel builders working 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. 8 men have lost their lives constructing this tunnel.