Huge Swiss tunnel opens in Alps (21 MILES)

[rodeodance]

Huge Swiss tunnel opens in Alps
Inauguration of Loetschberg tunnel
The tunnel should ease the big burden of transalpine traffic
Switzerland has opened the world's longest rail tunnel on land - the 34-kilometre (21-mile) Loetschberg tunnel under the Alps.

It will cut the journey time between Germany and Italy by at least a third.

It is set to be fully operational in December, and will eventually handle about 42 passenger trains and up to 80 freight trains daily.

The estimated cost of the project is 4.3bn Swiss francs (£1.75bn; $3.5bn). Construction started eight years ago.

[whistle]

1. Here are some links

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6755953.stm

<with photos> http://www.daylife.com/story/01B62s77TN8Gg/gallery/all/1

[Gloria]

2. "moving freight by rail"---how QUAINT!!!!! We're smarter, we kill the

railroads!!!!