How old is the oldest tunnel?

Roughly in chronological order, they are as follows:
  • The Euphrates Tunnel (circa. 2180 to 2160 BC, a little less than 1 km long). ...
  • The Etruscan tunnel at the Furlo pass (circa. 450 BC, length unknown, but probably less than 40 metres). ...
  • Grotta di Cocceio (aka the Cocceius Tunnel, circa. ...
  • Cripta Neapolitana (circa.




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The first tunnel built whose engineer is known was excavated in the island of Samos. The engineer Eupalinos de Megara, built this tunnel in the 530 b.C to supply with water the capital of the island and was, with its 1 km length, considered as one of the three marvels of the helenic world.

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Underground structures last a significantly longer life time than above-ground structures. Approximately about 50 years for above-ground, over 100 years for tunnels.

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World's longest railway tunnel, Gotthard Base Tunnel, Switzerland.

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Because they're stronger that way. Tunnels are circular to take advantage of the characteristics of soil and rock. Soil and rock are resistant to crushing forces (compressive forces). By rounding the ceiling, the weight of the soil and rock from the top to are balanced over the entire tunnel, increasing its strength.

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Collapse of the tunnel isn't what would make it impassible first. The tunnel itself might well last a century or so, but if there's no electric power for as little as a few weeks the tunnel will be closed by water seepage that can't be pumped out.

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The Laerdal Tunnel in western Norway is the longest road tunnel in the world. It takes about 20 minutes to pass through the tunnel. Brightly colored lights placed every six kilometers help drivers stay alert.

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Various methods are used to construct underwater tunnels, including an immersed tube and a submerged floating tunnel. The immersed tube method involves steel tube segments that are positioned in a trench in the sea floor and joined together. The trench is then covered and the water pumped from the tunnel.

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“The first infrastructures of this type were built at the end of the 19th century, and at present there are nearly 200 underwater tunnels built worldwide. Although some are used for water and electricity supply, most are used to house road or rail connections.

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The UK and France are about 21 miles apart at their nearest point. However, the 3 tunnels are 35 miles long as they run to terminals inland at Folkestone and Calais.

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France is home to over 60 tunnels of over 1,000m in length; four of those are over 10,000m in length and are often cited as modern engineering marvels. We've compiled a list of the most impressive tunnels, from the ground-breaking Channel Tunnel to the Mount Blanc Tunnel, an architectural feat.

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