In Japan, an engineering work is pushing the boundaries of what is possible. He Seikan Tunnel Not only does it hold the title of the longest underwater tunnel in the world, but it also symbolizes an unbreakable connection between the islands Honshu and Hokkaido. This subterranean colossus, the result of decades of planning and execution, is notable for its size and importance: it is a testament to the resilience and advancement of Japanese technology.
The construction of Seikan Tunnel was conceived as a solution to the logistical and climatic challenges that have historically been isolated Hokkaido from the rest of the country. With a total length of 53.85kmof which 23.3km The tunnel running under the seabed is proving to be an important transport and economic artery, allowing a continuous flow between two worlds that nature once separated.
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Seikan Tunnel, the connection between two islands separated by nature
The history of Seikan Tunnel It is a narrative of improvement. In response to the tragedy caused by a typhoon in 1954, Japan set about tirelessly uniting Honshu with Hokkaido. Construction began in 1971 and faced unprecedented technical challenges, from drilling through seismically active zones to dealing with enormous amounts of water intrusion. The technical masterpiece was inaugurated in March 1988 and today enables the daily transport of 50 trains, including the fast Shinkansen.
This tunnel connects the islands Honshu and Hokkaido Photo: Training.
The influence of Seikan Tunnel surpasses its impressive architecture and advanced technology. Economically, it has been a development engine for Hokkaido and has facilitated inter-island trade and tourism. Tappi Kaitei and Yoshioka Kaitei These are the two stations located in the tunnel under the seabed between the islands Honshu and Hokkaido, Japan. However, these are no longer in operation for public use as part of regular train services.
Although the tunnel itself is primarily a transit route, there are designated stations at either end that serve as entry and exit points for trains passing through. Hakodate-Hokuto, Hokkaidois a train station that serves as the northern terminus of the tunnel. Aside from that, Shin Aomori in Honshu It is the southern terminal; This station is an important part of the railway network. Honshuas it provides connections to the tunnel Seikan and from here to the rest of the island, including routes to Tokyo and other major cities.
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A monumental project
The construction of Seikan Tunnel It was a monumental project undertaken jointly by the Japanese government Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency (JRTT), which played an important role in its development. This ambitious project involved numerous construction companies, engineers and workers specializing in various areas of civil engineering.
Although other tunnels are longer, this is the longest in the world with an underground section. Photo: Seikan Museum
The construction of the tunnel started in 1971 and was completed in 1988after 17 years of intensive work, faced with numerous technical and environmental challenges, including those associated with the construction of a building of this scale beneath the seabed and in an area of high seismic activity.