Bering Strait Rail Tunnel

[Pooky 3,825]

Report: Tunnel linking US to Russia gains support

'The greatest railway project of all time' would enable trains to travel from NYC to London, England

msnbc.com

updated 8/20/2011 5:56:41 AM ET

LONDON — A train could one day make a journey of more than 5,000 miles from New York City to London, after senior Russian officials reportedly backed a plan to build a 65-mile tunnel between North America and Asia.

The Times newspaper in the U.K. said that idea to construct a $60 billion tunnel under the Bering Strait was this week backed by some President Dmitry Medvedev’s top officials.

The paper described the idea as "the greatest railway project of all time."

The tunnel would mean Russian territory would meet U.S. jurisdiction underneath the islands of Big Diomede, which is Russian, and Little Diomede, which is American.

The Times named one of the officials supporting the plan as Aleksandr Levinthal, the deputy federal representative for the Russian Far East.

The idea dates back more than a century; the ill-fated tsar, Nicholas II, approved similar tunnel plans twice, but World War I and then the Russian revolution intervened.

Cheaper, faster than container ships

The paper said supporters of the idea believe it would be a cheaper, faster and safer way to move goods around the world than container ships, estimating it could carry about 3 per cent of global freight and make about $7 billion a year.

Levinthal and several other Moscow officials took part in a conference in Yakutsk in eastern Russia that discussed how to improve infrastructure in the region, the Times said.

A 500-mile rail line linking Yakutsk to the Trans-Siberian railway is currently being built and Russia plans to lay more track to connect mineral-rich areas to freight lines.

"We should see advanced development of road and rail infrastructure here [in the Russian Far East] and improvement in the investment climate in Russia as a key aim," Levinthal said, according to The Times.

The tunnel would be the first dry connection between the two continents since a land bridge 21,000 years ago.

Stephen Dalziel, head of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce, sounded a note of caution, suggesting U.K. investors, at least, were unlikely to put money into the tunnel project until it actually began.

"It would be a great idea, if it worked," he said.

The idea was discussed in 2007 at a conference in Moscow called "Megaprojects of Russia's East ."

George Koumal, president of the Interhemispheric Bering Strait Tunnel and Railroad Group, called on governments to back the tunnel at the meeting. He suggested it would bring the two people's closer together, noting the current lack of links.

"There are very few [Russian] people who have stood on the beach in Alaska," he said. "Seemingly you can stretch out your hand and touch Mother Russia."

However, at that time, a Russian economics ministry official threw cold water on the idea, wondering who would pay for the project.

MSNBC link

Somehow, I think $60 billion, for the 65 mile tunnel, is way light for an undertaking like this.

The practical, technical, geological and security concerns are enormous, maintenance would be a nightmare, as would evacuation in case of emergency. Is this a case of imagineering, or could it be done and still make financial sense?

[Zero Sum 305]

Is that area geologically stable? Given the obvious economic considerations of trade that crosses entire oceans to reach port... it might be an interesting investment from companies that could stand to benefit... on both sides of the Straight.

Imagine driving from the US to Western Europe.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Bostons big dig a 3.5-mile (5.6-km) tunnel Fifteen years and $14.6 billion later ...... Guess you need the Russians to hire the Chinese to build it. It would take 15 years for the EPA and rhe DEC to approve it in this country.

[Pooky 3,825]

Is that area geologically stable? Given the obvious economic considerations of trade that crosses entire oceans to reach port... it might be an interesting investment from companies that could stand to benefit... on both sides of the Straight.

Imagine driving from the US to Western Europe.

I'm not sure, but it appears that the Bering Sea sits on its own micro-plate and so is relatively unaffected by the divergent North American and Eurasian Tectonic Plates and may be stable enough for this kind of venture. The Pacific Ring of Fire runs to the South, through the Aleutian Trench, but there are a few volcanic spots closer to the proposed route of the tunnel. I'm no geologist, so I have no clue whether they are close enough to jeopardise any proposed tunnel.

On the investment side, the figure of $60 billion is, in my opinion, not even close to the final cost. At a $7 billion/year payback, even that means close to a 10 year payback, if (and it's a big if) trade traffic can be encouraged to use the new route to its full capacity.

And why drive, with all the carbon footprint that would leave behind, when you can take a train all the way?

[Zero Sum 305]

I'm not sure, but it appears that the Bering Sea sits on its own micro-plate and so is relatively unaffected by the divergent North American and Eurasian Tectonic Plates and may be stable enough for this kind of venture. The Pacific Ring of Fire runs to the South, through the Aleutian Trench, but there are a few volcanic spots closer to the proposed route of the tunnel. I'm no geologist, so I have no clue whether they are close enough to jeopardise any proposed tunnel.

On the investment side, the figure of $60 billion is, in my opinion, not even close to the final cost. At a $7 billion/year payback, even that means close to a 10 year payback, if (and it's a big if) trade traffic can be encouraged to use the new route to its full capacity.

And why drive, with all the carbon footprint that would leave behind, when you can take a train all the way?

The Orient Express... extended to the American Orient.

True. I am not convinced on the feasibility of this project; a forward looking project could include alternative fuel (electric) incentives for vehicles making the trip. Part of any corollary benefits to using this (and its likely tolls) could include free (or discounted) charging stations along the way.

And a rail line... if it were maglev it might even be comparatively more economical and more 'green' than all that shipping on boats. The startup price tag would undoubtedly be the hurdle to clear.

[Karee 4,191]

Hell it would Kip something to do. He seems bored.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

It's a pipe dream that's been talked about for years now and last brought up by Roman Abramovich seeing how he wants to open up Russia Far East. If there were any kind of road from Nome to Anchorage then it might possibly an idea worth thinking about but a road from Nome to Anchorage would cost more than anyone would want to spend, including the Feds.

As it is we have direct flights from Alaska to Russia.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

It's a pipe dream that's been talked about for years now and last brought up by Roman Abramovich seeing how he wants to open up Russia Far East. If there were any kind of road from Nome to Anchorage then it might possibly an idea worth thinking about but a road from Nome to Anchorage would cost more than anyone would want to spend, including the Feds.

As it is we have direct flights from Alaska to Russia.

Now that Wally Hickel is gone, I don't see it happening.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Now that Wally Hickel is gone, I don't see it happening.

Wally had some far out ideas...or so they seemed at the time, but in reality he was ahead of his time. He wanted to build a underwater fresh water pipeline from Alaska to California and sell them water. Great idea. California would pay top dollar for that water, and it would have been paid off by now if certain people hadn't put the kabash on it. And if the pipeline broke...no big deal...that water runs from the rivers out into the ocean anyways. It was a money maker idea.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Wally had some far out ideas...or so they seemed at the time, but in reality he was ahead of his time. He wanted to build a underwater fresh water pipeline from Alaska to California and sell them water. Great idea. California would pay top dollar for that water, and it would have been paid off by now if certain people hadn't put the kabash on it. And if the pipeline broke...no big deal...that water runs from the rivers out into the ocean anyways. It was a money maker idea.

Wally was...Wally. Always liked that guy for some reason.

[mawilson 2,133]

At least the Russians are doing something useful with their petrodollars.

[^_^ 5,021]

Who the hell is going to want to take a train from NYC to London?

[mawilson 2,133]

Who the hell is going to want to take a train from NYC to London?

I would. I hate flying.

[^_^ 5,021]

I would. I hate flying.

How long would the train ride take? I assume it won't be non-stop.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

How long would the train ride take? I assume it won't be non-stop.

if it's anything like trying to get from point A to point B in the US via train, you're looking at a 5 day journey to get there LOL.