THE ST. GOTHARD TUNNEL WORKS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1756, 6 October 1879, Page 4

THE ST. GOTHARD TUNNEL WORKS.

A Swiaa journal has recently given some particulars of the present state of the St. Gothard tunnel works. The total length of the tunnel between the two ends at Airolo and at-Goeschcnen is 14,920 metres, including the approaches of 145 metros. There is, howevrr, a separate curved part ot the tunnel on the Ariolo side which is 125 metres in length. At the end of May Inst 3439 metres of the tunnel from the Gocschecen side had been completed, and 3C33 metres from the Airolo side. This gavo a total of 7122 metres complotod from both ends, and this, compared with tho length which it was estimated would be completed according to the programme arranged in September, 1875, shows a deficit of 338 S metres. There is, however, no such great difference between the estimated and achieved lengths in the headings. At the end of Mny the advanced top headings had reached 6940 metres from tho G-oeschonen or northern side, and G 289 metres from the Airolo or southern side, showing a total length of advanced top headings of 13,229 metres, and only 214 metres les3 than anticipated in 1875, and leaving 1548 metres of heading to bo mado. Tho meeting from the two ends will not be at tho centre of tho length of the tunnel, but owing to tho more rapid advancement from tho northorn side, it wul take place .somewhere about £OO metres nearer to tho southern aide. Tho present rate of advance of the heading is, on average of both sides, about 238 motres per month. At this rate the meeting of the miners from the two ends will take place soon after the end o£ January next. The completion work, howerer, proceeds at a more rapid rate, and it is expected in Switzerland, if the work continues at tho present, rate.lt wjl} be oompJesed for opening in 1894,