Could a Russia-US rail tunnel be built?

[Gerald]

Russian officials have backed the idea of a rail tunnel linking Russia and the US.

It would run under the Bering Strait for 105km (65 miles) - twice the length of the UK-France Channel Tunnel.

The tunnel itself has been estimated to cost $10-12bn and to take 10-15 years to build.

But an additional 4,000km (2,485 miles) of new track would be needed to link it to Russia's rail network, plus another 2,000km (1,243 miles) to connect to existing services on the US side.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-15387714

Note: 21 October 2011 Last updated at 23:33 GMT

[papa_smurf]

$10-12 billion? Sounds like a bargain:up:

[Kongo Otto]

$10-12 billion? Sounds like a bargain:up:


The Eurotunnel had total costs of 15 Billion Euros (roundabout 20.84 Billion$)
No way to build something like this Tunnel for 10-12 Billion $.
And the Eurotunnel was built in way easier Terrain than this Tunnel would be.

[Jimbuna]

I thought the US had enough problems with Mexican immigrants without adding a Russian element.

[Kongo Otto]

I thought the US had enough problems with Mexican immigrants without adding a Russian element.

:haha::har::haha:

[MH]

Start of great love story....

http://www.wtfux.net/wp-content/plugins/wp-o-matic/cache/c2700_political-pictures-dang-its-true-i-can-actually-see-sarah-palin-on-her-porch.jpg

[Tchocky]

Lots and lots of oil and minerals in Siberia. Not the worst idea, to be honest. It well may turn out cheaper per km than the Chunnel, labour costs being what they are in the US and Russia.

[Spoon 11th]

Freight-only tunnel would be much cheaper. Few billions I guess.

[magicstix]

We could do it, the problem is there's nothing on the Russia side except vast tundra wasteland for hundreds of miles.

[Krauter]

But an additional 4,000km (2,485 miles) of new track would be needed to link it to Russia's rail network

Meaning it doesn't just stop when you get out of the tunnel. They'll probably connect it to the Trans-Siberian Railway. Which is an interesting option if they can connect the Trans-Siberian to the Trans-Canadian and the American equivalent rail line.

[Tchocky]

Probably connect to the Baikal-Amur Mainline if anything. I wonder how much trade would be routed along this, now that the Arctic is freeing up for shipping.

Actually that raises an interesting point - of what gauge would the track be? I know Russian gauge is considerably (?) wider than that used in US freight systems. Bit of a logistical headscratcher there. Where's UnderseaLcpl when you need him, he is/was a railhead, no?

[TLAM Strike]

The Russians already have the first train they want to send though ready to go...

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/62/grozny4big.jpg

[MothBalls]

Maybe we should build a tunnel to the middle east and suck the oil out from under them.

[Gerald]

Start of great love story....

http://www.wtfux.net/wp-content/plugins/wp-o-matic/cache/c2700_political-pictures-dang-its-true-i-can-actually-see-sarah-palin-on-her-porch.jpg :haha: