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"Transatlantic Tunnel"

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DaveNewcastle

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We can be sure that such a project won't be undertaken even well beyond our lifetimes.

There are too many engineering challenges without viable solutions.
I'm concerned about the great depths (over 4000 metres) either side of the mountainous mid Atlantic ridge; these will introduce phenomenal pressures and geologic movement. Any structure which is to be resilient and maintainable in the face of such forces and with a lifespan of say 100 years will be quite unlike anything we've put undersea or into space - it could never be viable to have a programme of rolling maintenance, renewals and a regime of controlled failures all of which operate concurrently with a public service.

The Arctic route via Greenland doesn't involve quite the same challenges, but would still present huge difficulties.

Actually, I'm struggling to anticipate what sort of demand there might be for that journey 100 years after its inauguration. And what the announcements for delay might say!
 

NightStar

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Across the pond.
I personally don't think it will ever happen for atleast 150 years, if ever? However linking the US to Europe Via Russia is a serious possibility, When you consider a tunnel from Siberia to Alaska would be considerably shorter than going via the Atlantic.

Robert
 

NY Yankee

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Since my country would rather spend money on wars than infrastructure, this will never happen. Republicans in America hate anything that runs on rails.
 

MidnightFlyer

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Indeed, I'm sure you exist in number. TBF it's not the first false allegation NY Yankee has made against the Right, I'm still waiting for his evidence that all Republicans are racist too (bear in mind that would include Alice Cooper, Robert Duvall and Chuck Norris, can't say I've ever seen them be openly racist...).
 

Flamingo

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More chance of a bridge, in my opinion. Probably less of an engineering challenge as well!
 

Heinz57

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Whilst it is possible to bridge the strait. The problem we've got is the conditions. They can get horrendously bad up there, not only would it be difficult for the construction workers, but that the bridge and connecting highway would only be able to open for about half the year. Plus out there you are miles from the nearest hospital, so should something go wrong then it will be difficult.

It was discussed in depth in this very interesting episode of Extreme Engineering...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WardPoUe4ag

The transatlantic tunnel was also discussed in another episode...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIuy7WGD1z0&feature=related

Its very interesting, it discusses the design and construction constraints, as well as how to get the passengers to cope with the extreme Gs that they would encounter at the speeds the trains would need to travel.
 
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