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mahatmakanejeeves

(58,029 posts)
Mon May 6, 2024, 07:49 AM May 6

On this day, May 6, 1994, the Channel Tunnel opened.


Channel Tunnel
74,472 views • Jan 30, 2018

Institution of Civil Engineers
18.8K subscribers

The Channel Tunnel opened in May 1994 after six years of construction and is the longest undersea tunnel in the world. It actually consists of three tunnels running parallel to each other; the two outer tunnels are used for trains and the smaller central service tunnel is used for ventilation and access.

The two larger tunnels are 7.6m wide and are high enough to take a double-decker bus. They curve gently up and down or left and right so that they can run through the chalk strata. On average, the tunnels are 45m below the sea bed.

The Channel Tunnel has cut travel times between the UK and mainland Europe dramatically. Before the tunnel, it took around 6-7 hours by rail and ferry from London to Paris. Trains can now do the same journey in 2.5 hours.

To learn more about the Channel Tunnel click here: https://www.ice.org.uk/what-is-civil-engineering/what-do-civil-engineers-do/the-channel-tunnel


Sat May 6, 2023: On this day, May 6, 1994, the Channel Tunnel opened.

Wed May 6, 2020: On this day, May 6, 1994, the Channel Tunnel opened.

Hat tip, This Day in History
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On this day, May 6, 1994, the Channel Tunnel opened. (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves May 6 OP
I rode it about 20 years ago. 3Hotdogs May 6 #1

3Hotdogs

(12,581 posts)
1. I rode it about 20 years ago.
Mon May 6, 2024, 08:40 AM
May 6

My memories were of "sniffer dogs" going down the aisle. (I didn't have anything on me that day. So it was all right.)

And a feeling of air pressure in my ears.

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