Elbe Tunnel, Road tunnel under Elbe River in Hamburg, Germany.
This road tunnel runs roughly 3,325 meters (about 10,900 feet) beneath the river and consists of four parallel tubes that together provide eight traffic lanes. The individual tubes run side by side, forming a wide corridor that carries motorway traffic between the northern and southern parts of the city.
The first three tubes were built between 1968 and 1975 to create a direct motorway link through the city. The fourth tube was completed in the early 2000s after growing traffic volumes required additional capacity.
The name refers to the river that runs above the four tubes, while drivers passing through experience the crossing as a routine part of their journey along the motorway. Many people barely notice they are deep below water when traveling through, as the lighting and ventilation create the impression of a normal stretch of road.
Vehicles taller than 4 meters (about 13 feet) cannot use the tubes, as automated control systems at the entrances stop oversized vehicles. Traffic signs inside provide information on speed limits and any disruptions, allowing drivers to adjust their route accordingly.
During the expansion in the early 2000s, the fourth tube had to be constructed using a large boring machine whose cutting head measured nearly 15 meters (about 49 feet) in diameter. The machine dug through layers of sand and silt while traffic continued without disruption in the older tubes.
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