Swiss Gotthard base tunnel nears breakthrough Construction crews digging the 35-mile (57km) Gotthard base tunnel are due to reach the other side today. When opened for trains in 2016/17, it will beat Japan's 33.5-mile Seikan tunnel as the world's longest

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2010/oct/15/gotthard-base-tunnel-pictures-switzerland#/?picture=367699820&index=16