New Delhi: The proposal for a tunnel linking the UK and the US beneath the Atlantic Ocean has come to light again but with an estimated cost of nearly USD 20 trillion, the project presents a strong challenge. The concept of a “Transatlantic Tunnel” is not new, but its practicality has been halted by issues of scale, cost and practicality.
How feasible is it?
While flights between London and New York City take about eight hours, the idea of using a tunnel to connect the two cities raises concerns over whether such a venture could justify the immense financial outlay. The cities are more than 3,000 miles apart and constructing a tunnel of such scale would require a lot of years of work and effort. For comparison, the 23.5-mile Channel Tunnel, which connects England and France, took six years to finish. Estimates for the Transatlantic Tunnel’s cost range up to £15.5 trillion (about USD 19.8 trillion), The Newsweek reported.
But recent advancements in vacuum tube technology have revived interest in the tunnel. The proposed system would use pressurised vehicles travelling through a vacuum and eliminate the air resistance and allowing speeds of over 3,000 mph. This would greatly reduce travel time between London and New York. It would potentially make the journey last under an hour.
Hyperloop: A greener alternative
Often called as the “hyperloop,”the vacuum tube technology, promises a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to flying. The hugely reduced travel time would help justify the massive construction costs, which would make the tunnel a viable option for global travel.
Despite these technological advancements, there is still no definitive design for the tunnel. Several proposals have been made, ranging from a tunnel placed under the ocean floor to one built on stilts or even a floating design supported by cables anchored to the sea floor.
An 800-year construction project?
The Channel Tunnel’s construction timeline provides some perspective on the scale of the Transatlantic Tunnel. If built at a similar pace, it would take nearly 800 years to complete the 3,000-mile stretch between the US and the US. The concept of vacuum-based train travel gained attention in 2013, when Elon Musk published a paper mentioning the potential of this technology. Trials are currently underway in India and China, where it is being integrated into high-speed rail systems.
