TUNNEL UNDER MONT BLANC.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2381, 19 November 1881, Page 3

TUNNEL UNDER MONT BLANC.

The construction of another great Alpine tunnel which should bring Paris and the north of France into more direct communication with Italy than is afforded by the existing tunnel through Mont Oenis, is under consideration with the French Government, the projects including not only one through Mont Blanc, but also through the Simplon or tho Great St. Bernard. It is not likely, however, that the latter will meet with much encouragement. The tunnel under the Simplon would be 60,719 ft long, while that under Mont Blano is only 44,292 ft. As compared with other Alpine tunnels, Mont Oenis is 40,093tt., and St, Qothard 48,952 ft. The Simplon would, therefore, be longest of all; but, on tho other hand, it would bo on a lower level than tho others, the entrance at Briog being only 2333 ft, and that at Iselie 2253 ft above the sea level. The entrances to the Mont Blano tunnel would be 3345 ft at Montquart, and 4215 ft at Knfereves above the sea level. The Bardonneohe entrance to Mont Oenis is 3970 ft, and that at Modane 3799 ft, while in the case of the St. Qothard tunnel the northern entrance at Qoeschenen is 3638 ft, and the southern, at Airolo, 3756 ft above the sea. Thus the Mont Oenis tunnel is shorter, but 350 ft higher than the Mont Blanc, while the Simplon would be about half as long again, but about 1000 ft lower. Supposing that the operations would be conducted at the same rate as they have been at St. Gothard, the boring will take 4218 days, or, working at both ends, 2109—nearly six years. Tho total sum for the execution of tho work is estimated at 45J millions of francs (St. Gothard having cost 54 millions), though this amount would only apply to the actual piercing of the tunnel, and a large additional sum would be required for the laying down of the line, the approaches, &c. The distance between Paris and Brindisi would be shortened by about twenty-four miles, but the real benefit that both France and Italy would reap would be in tho great facilities for the interchange of commerce between tho two countries. — “ Times.”