Eurotúnel

The Eurotunnel, also known as the Channel Tunnel, is a 50.45-kilometer (31.35 mi) railway tunnel that links Folkestone, Kent, in the United Kingdom, with Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais, in northern France. It runs beneath the English Channel at its narrowest point. The tunnel is the longest undersea tunnel in the world and a crucial piece of infrastructure connecting the UK to mainland Europe.

Construction began in 1988 and the tunnel was opened in 1994. It consists of three tunnels: two for rail traffic and a central service tunnel. The tunnel is used by Eurostar passenger trains and by Channel Tunnel shuttle trains carrying freight and passenger vehicles. The shuttle trains are the primary method for transporting cars, motorcycles, and coaches across the Channel.

The Eurotunnel operates through a concession granted by the French and British governments. The tunnel has been instrumental in facilitating trade and tourism between the UK and continental Europe, significantly reducing travel times compared to ferry services. It is managed by the company Getlink, formerly Eurotunnel. The project was a major engineering feat, involving complex tunneling techniques and overcoming significant geological challenges beneath the seabed. The tunnel is a vital link in the European rail network.