Gotthard rises to 4th place: world’s longest road tunnel

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Switzerland tunnel world champion. The Gotthard Base Tunnel broke the world record as the world’s longest railway tunnel when it was completed in 2016 and still holds this title today. At 57 kilometers, the tunnel is much longer than its younger sibling, the Gotthard road tunnel. Unless another freight train derails, this issue becomes more prevalent in the media: Always on time during the holiday season, traditionally long waiting times occur in front of Switzerland’s longest road tunnel.

Gotthard can also play in major leagues around the world, but that’s not enough to reach the top. Below we list the longest road tunnels in the world:

Plans for the construction of the Ovit Tunnel existed as early as 1880 as a development project of the Ottoman Empire. Construction began in 1930 but was canceled and never resumed. Construction work resumed only in 2012. It took six years for the 14.3 kilometer long tunnel to be officially opened in 2018. It passes through the Ovitberg of the same name and passes by a causeway that is often impassable during the winter months due to bad weather conditions.

Norway’s Ryfylke Tunnel is the world’s longest underwater tunnel. It is 292 meters below sea level and is currently the deepest road tunnel ever built. Construction work lasted seven years, from 2012 to 2019. However, the 14.4 kilometer long Ryfylke Tunnel will only retain its two titles until the opening of the Norwegian Rogfast tunnel system. A 26.7 kilometer long tunnel will be built, the deepest point of which will be 392 meters below sea level. However, its completion is not planned until 2033.

Switzerland barely made it to the podium. At 16.9 kilometers, the Gotthard is the longest road tunnel in the Alps. With Göschenen UR and Airolo TI it also connects northern and southern Europe and is the fastest connection on the European Alpine arc. Construction work officially began in 1970 and lasted ten years; Construction work of the second tube has already started. However, this will not lead to an increase in capacity; it is primarily aimed to ensure passage during the renewal of the first tunnel. The tunnels will then be used as a single lane as planned.

China is also familiar with tunnel construction: Line 6 of the Chengdu Metro is considered the world’s longest metro tunnel, and at over 68 kilometers long, it is even longer than the Gotthard Base Tunnel. The longest road tunnel in China passes through Zhongnan Mountain and is approximately 18 kilometers long. This reduces the three-hour journey through the Qinling Mountains to 40 minutes: the tunnel saves drivers 60 kilometers of detour. Planned in 1990, construction took five years and was completed in 2007.

Only 200 meters further, the Yamate Tunnel comes in second. The tunnel is located in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, more precisely under Yamate Street of the same name. The construction of the tunnel started in 1992 and the first part of the tunnel was opened in 2007. The full length was only reached in 2015; The entire construction work took 23 years. It is the longest road tunnel in the city with a length of 18.2 kilometers.

You wouldn’t know the size of the Laerdal Tunnel, but behind the inconspicuous entrance lies the world’s longest road tunnel, measuring over 24.5 kilometers in length. The tunnel was built in just five years and was put into operation in November 2000. Along the route of the tunnel there are numerous bright light installations aimed, among other things, at improving traffic safety by preventing people from falling asleep. Additionally, a slightly curved route was chosen. Thanks to the Laerdalstunnel, you save yourself from crossing mountains, which is not possible even in winter; drivers had to use ferries. This may soon become a reality again: The tunnel is expected to remain closed for several years from 2025 for renovations.

Source: Blick