Eurotunnel under the English Channel: when was it built and how did it happen?

Connecting Great Britain with continental Europe across the English Channel is a project that engineers have dreamed of since the 19th century. However, this grandiose idea was realized only at the end of the 20th century. Eurotunnel (or channel tunnel) became one of the most ambitious engineering achievements in history, changing logistics, transportation and even politics in Europe.

Today many people are asking the question: When exactly was this tunnel built? The answer is not as simple as it seems. Construction stretched for 6 years - from 1988 to 1994, but preparation for the project took decades. In this article we will look at key dates, technical details and little-known facts about the creation longest underwater tunnel in the world (50.45 km, of which 37.9 km are under water).

Interestingly, the idea of a tunnel arose more than once: the first project dates back to 1802, when the French engineer Albert Mathieu proposed digging a tunnel for horse-drawn carriages! However, wars, economic crises and technical limitations prevented the implementation of the plan. Only towards the end of the 1980s did technology and political will allow construction to begin.

The Eurotunnel now carries millions of passengers and tons of cargo every year, but its creation was fraught with enormous risks. Let's figure out how we managed to overcome underwater currents, geological faults and even protests from environmentalists.

First attempts: from Napoleon to Churchill

The idea of uniting Britain and France dates back to the Napoleonic era. B 1802 Albert Mathieu, an engineer from France, proposed a design for a tunnel with ventilation shafts on an island in the middle of the English Channel. The plan even included artificial island for horses to rest! However, Napoleon, busy with wars, ignored the initiative.

B 1875 British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli raised the issue again, but Parliament rejected the project due to fear of invasion. It's interesting that Winston Churchill supported the idea of a tunnel in the 1930s, but World War II buried these plans. Only in 1957 The first official commission was created to study the project, but financial calculations showed its impracticability at that time.

• 📜 1802 - first tunnel project (Albert Mathieu, France)
• 🚂 1875 - the British Parliament considers but rejects the idea
• 💣 1940s — Churchill supports the project, but the war prevents implementation
• 📊 1957 — first feasibility study (recognized as unprofitable)

The key turning point was 1973when Great Britain entered into European Economic Community (predecessor of the EU). This has increased interest in transport connectivity. B 1984 The governments of France and Great Britain finally signed an agreement on construction, and in 1986 company project was selected Eurotunnel - with two railway tunnels and a service tunnel between them.

Official construction dates: 1988–1994

December 1, 1987 preparatory work began, and December 15, 1988 Construction has officially started. The project was implemented by the company TransManche Link (TML) - a consortium of 10 construction companies from the UK and France. The budget was estimated at £4.6bn (about $9 billion at the exchange rate of that time), but eventually grew to £10 billion ($18 billion).

Construction was carried out simultaneously from both sides: British and French teams built tunnels towards each other. Used 11 giant tunneling shields (TBM — Tunnel Boring Machine), each weighing 1,200 tons and length 200 meters. The penetration rate was 15–20 meters per day, but in soft rocks (chalk, clay) the rates reached 50 meters per day.

⚠️ Attention: One of the main problems was undercurrents and geological faults. In 1991, a water breakthrough occurred on the British side, which was barely contained. Engineers had to develop unique drainage systems and strengthen the walls.

December 1, 1990 a historic meeting took place: the British tunneling shield "Gilbert" and French "Pascal" connected under the bottom of the English Channel. This event was broadcast live on television. However, the full opening of the tunnel took place only May 6, 1994when the first train passed through it - Eurostar.

Interesting fact: the tunnel was built 2 years ahead of schedule, but due to financial problems and improvements to safety systems, the opening was delayed by 10 months.

Technical characteristics: how the Eurotunnel works

The Eurotunnel is not just one, but three parallel tunnels, interconnected by transverse galleries (each 375 meters). This design ensures safety: in the event of an emergency, passengers can evacuate to an adjacent tunnel.

• 🚆 Two railway tunnels (diameter 7.6 m) - for train movement in both directions
• 🔧 One service tunnel (diameter 4.8 m) - for maintenance and evacuation
• 💨 Ventilation system — maintains pressure and temperature (maximum +30°C)
• 🚨 Transverse galleries — 150 crossings for evacuation

The depth of the tunnel varies from 40 to 100 meters below sea level. The lowest point is at 75 meters below the bottom of the English Channel. For comparison: it's like 25-storey building underwater! The tunnel walls are reinforced concrete segments thick 45 cm, and the total mass of concrete used was 8 million tons - enough for construction 50 skyscrapers.

Trains in the tunnel move at speeds up to 160 km/h, but due to safety restrictions the average speed is 130 km/h. Traveling from London to Paris takes 2 hours 15 minutes (vs. 6–8 hours by ferry). Freight trains (Le Shuttle Freight) transported to 1.6 million tons cargo annually.

How much did the project cost and who financed it?

The original budget for the project was £4.6bn, but by the time of opening the costs had risen to £10 billion ($18 billion at the 1994 exchange rate). Eurotunnel did it the most expensive construction project of the 20th century (after the program Apollo). Funding was provided through:

• 💷 Stocks and bonds - company Eurotunnel attracted private investors
• 🏦 Bank loans - under guarantees of the governments of France and Great Britain
• 🚂 Revenues from future transportation — calculation of payback in 20–25 years

However, the project turned out to be unprofitable in the early years: debt Eurotunnel reached £9 billion by 1995. Reasons:

1. Underestimated forecasts for passenger traffic (15.9 million passengers were expected per year, but in 1995 there were only 2.9 million).
2. High interest rates on loans (up to 14% per annum).
3. Additional security costs following the 1996 terrorist attack.

Only to 2007 the company was able to restructure its debt, and 2018 paid dividends to shareholders for the first time. Today the Eurotunnel brings £1bn profit annually, but its story has become an example of how even grandiose projects can end up on the verge of bankruptcy.

⚠️ Attention: B 1996 There was a fire in the tunnel, which led to closure for 6 months. After this, security measures were tightened: fire doors and automatic fire extinguishing systems.

Interesting facts and records of the Eurotunnel

The Eurotunnel is not only an engineering miracle, but also a source of amazing facts:

• 🕳️ Longest underwater section — 37.9 km (Guinness record)
• 🚇 Deepest railway tunnel – 100 m below sea level
• 🕒 The fastest way to cross the English Channel - 20 minutes for Eurostar (vs. 90 minutes by plane, including check-in)
• 🐭 "Tunnel Rats" - the so-called workers who manually strengthened walls in dangerous areas

It was removed during construction 4 million m³ of rock - that would be enough to fill 7 pyramids of Cheops! And the total weight of concrete used to line the tunnel exceeds the weight 16 Eiffel Towers.

Another little-known fact: in the tunnel no windows, but passengers do not feel claustrophobic thanks to special lighting that simulates daylight. But mobile communications here it works only in the service tunnel - it is not available in passenger cars due to the thickness of the walls.

Eurotunnel today: current tariffs and travel rules

In 2026, the Eurotunnel remains one of the most popular routes in Europe. The fare depends on the type of transport and time of booking:

Important rules for motorists:

Book your ticket in advance (price increases closer to the travel date)

Make sure the fuel level is at least ¼ tank (safety rule)

Check tire pressure (there are no repair stops in the tunnel)

Have your passport with you (border control takes place at the station) -->

From 2021 due to Brexit Border control rules have been tightened: it is now required filling out the declaration for the import of certain goods (for example, alcohol over 18 liters). The time for passport control has also increased - it is recommended to arrive at the station in 1.5–2 hours before departure.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the Channel Tunnel