Eurotunnel

Eurotunnel, officially the Channel Tunnel, is a rail tunnel beneath the English Channel that links Folkestone, in Kent, United Kingdom, with Calais, France. It is operated by Getlink, formerly Eurotunnel S.A. / Eurotunnel plc, and consists of three parallel tunnels: two rail tunnels and a central service tunnel used for maintenance and safety. The combined length is about 50.45 km, with roughly 37.9 km undersea. The system supports passenger and freight traffic, with two main rail routes: high‑speed Eurostar passenger trains between the UK and continental Europe, and Le Shuttle, a car and freight shuttle service that carries road vehicles and goods between the ports of Folkestone and Calais.

Construction began in 1988 and the tunnel opened in 1994. The project cost about 9 billion pounds and was financed by a mix of private investment and government backing. The operation is integrated with UK and French rail networks and connects to HS1 in Britain and the high‑speed lines on the continent.

Safety and operations: The tunnel features ventilation, emergency exits, and cross‑tunnel evacuation routes. In 1996, a serious fire on a car shuttle train prompted major safety reforms and additional drills.

Impact and significance: The Channel Tunnel provides a major cross‑Channel transport link for passengers and freight, influencing travel patterns and competition with ferry services. It has remained a key component of European transport infrastructure and is subject to ongoing capacity and safety upgrades by Getlink.