Rock stars: Alps tunnel is world’s longest

A GIANT drilling machine punched its way through a final section of Alpine rock yesterday to complete the world’s longest tunnel, after 15 years of sometimes lethal construction work.

In a stage-managed breakthrough, attended by some 200 dignitaries 30km inside the tunnel and broadcast live on Swiss television, engineers from both sides shook hands after the bore had pummelled through the final 1.5 metres of rock.

“Here, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, one of the biggest environmental projects on the continent has become reality,” said Swiss Transport Minister Moritz Leuenberger.