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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| Could a Russia-US rail tunnel be built? |
| 2011-10-22 |
| Russian officials have backed the idea of a rail tunnel linking Russia and the US. It would run under the Bering Strait for 105km (65 miles) - twice the length of the UK-France Channel Tunnel. The tunnel itself has been estimated to cost $10-12bn and to take 10-15 years to build. But an additional 4,000km (2,485 miles) of new track would be needed to link it to Russia's rail network, plus another 2,000km (1,243 miles) to connect to existing services on the US side. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #8 Russia might build it but China would use it. |
| Posted by: manversgwtw 2011-10-22 20:09 |
| #7 Could it? Sure. Will it? Not if people with any sense have a say in it. Here are a couple of suggestions: 1. Russia pays for the WHOLE THING. 2. Instead of locomotives, use unicorns to pull the train cars. Two's as likely to happen as one. |
| Posted by: Barbara 2011-10-22 15:50 |
| #6 As long as it's rainbow powered high speed rail that transports solar panels and wind turbines. If not, than "no"... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2011-10-22 09:48 |
| #5 Maybe this is the inter-continental railroad Obama keeps talking about. |
| Posted by: CincinnatusChili 2011-10-22 09:47 |
| #4 Could? Yes. Should? No. Qualification: If private individuals want to spend only their own money to buy the land and do the construction knock yourselves out. If there is one dime of public money in any direct or indirect (tax breaks etc.) way, then HELL no. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2011-10-22 09:46 |
| #3 Al, it would be built pretty far north of the main earthquake zones so I don't think earthquakes would be disqualifying. Weather on the rail lines and lack of demand, however... |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2011-10-22 09:36 |
| #2 But the jobs! Think of the jobs! |
| Posted by: Bobby 2011-10-22 09:15 |
| #1 Short answer: yes Could it withstand the many large earthquakes in that part of the world? No. |
| Posted by: Frozen Al 2011-10-22 09:02 |