Lötschberg Base Tunnel, Railway base tunnel between Frutigen and Raron, Switzerland
The Lötschberg Base Tunnel is a railway passage beneath the Bernese Alps that connects the Bernese valley to the Valais region. It runs roughly 400 meters below the older tunnel through solid rock for a distance of about 34.5 kilometers.
The project began in 1999 and achieved breakthrough between both sides of the Alps in 2005. Operations started in 2007 as one of Europe's most modern railway links.
The tunnel forms part of a major Swiss infrastructure initiative that links Alpine regions more directly. It allows travelers to pass through the mountains quickly rather than going over mountain passes.
The tunnel is used by roughly 110 trains daily, from fast passenger trains to freight services, all connecting both sides of Switzerland. Travelers on a train pass through the mountain crossing in about 15 minutes.
A distinctive aspect is the use of groundwater heat drawn from the tunnel, which is channeled to a tropical greenhouse nearby for growing exotic fruits. This heat source allows the greenhouse to operate year-round without additional heating.
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