TUNNEL UNDER MONT BLAN

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 28 November 1881, Page 2

TUNNEL UNDER MONT BLAN

The construction of another great Alpine tunnel which shou'd bring Paris and the north of France into more direct communication with Itlay j than is afforded by tbe existing tunnel through Mont Cen is, is under cod* sideation with the French Government the projects including not only one through the Simplon or tbe Great St. Bernard. It is likely, however that tbe latter will meet, with much encouragement. The tunnel under the latter would be 60.716 ft long while that under Mont BIaDC, is only 44,262 ft As compared with other Alpine tunnels, Mont Cenis is 400,93 ft.' and St. Got bard 48952 ft. The Simplon would therefore, be longest of all; but on the other hand, it would bo on a lower level than tbe otbers the entrance at Bri.g bein!? only 2333 ft. and that at Iselle 2253 ft above tlie sea level. Th entrances *o the Mont Blanc tunnel would be 3345 ft at Montqurt, and 42 '5ft at En trey es above the .ea sevel. The Barkonneche entrance to Mont Cenis is 3970, and that at Modame 3799 ft, while in the case ot the St. Gotbard tunnel tbe nothern entrance at Gcescbman is 3938 ft, and the sout hern, at Ai»-010, 3756 ft above the sea. Thus the Mont Cenis tunnel is shorter, but 350 ft higher than the Mont Blanc, while the Simplon would be about half as Jong again but about 1000 ft lower. Supposing that tbe operations would be conducted at tbe same rate as they bave been at St Gothard, the boring will take 4218 days, or, working at both end., 2109— nearly six years. The total mm for the execution of the work is estimated at 45f- millions of francs (St Gotbard having cost 54 millions), though tbis amount would only apply to the actual piercing of the tunnel, and a large additional sum would be required for the laying down ofthe line, the approaches, &.. The distance between Paris and Brindisi would be shortened by about twentyfour miles, but tbe real benefit that both France aud Italy would reap would be in the great facilities for the inter* change of commerce between the two countries. — Times,