Switzerland's Albula Tunnel is an important engineering marvel from the beginning of the 20th century. The 5,864 metre-long tunnel at 1800 metre elevation in the Alps was built between 1898-1903. A total of 1,316 men built this tunnel with just picks and shovels in just 5 years. This engineering marvel part of the Rhaetian Railway network is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The 110 years-old tunnel shows its age in recent years with falling rocks and the difficulty with keeping up with the modern safety standards. There were two options: Repairing and upgrading the tunnel or constructing a parallel new tunnel. Due to the minor cost differential between two options, it has been decided to build a new tunnel. The new construction had the advantage of not disrupting the current rail traffic during the construction.
The Rhaetian Railway site a lot of interesting information about the history and the current construction, I am sure you will enjoy it.
https://www.rhb.ch/en/company/projects-dossiers/rebuilding-of-the-albula-tunnel
cover tunnel photo by: Matt Brown from London, England / CC BY
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https://www.rhb.ch/en/company/projects-dossiers/rebuilding-of-the-albula-tunnel
Rebuilding of the Albula Tunnel
www.rhb.chThe new Albula Tunnel of the Rhaetian Railway, which will be replacing the existing tunnel from 2024 onwards, runs between the Albula Valley and Engadin. Building work on it started in 2014.