The Gotthard Base Tunnel, has been in the making for over 14 years. It is a 35.4 mile long tunnel through the Swiss Alps. Today was a joyous day for all those taking part in the project. Drilling for the soon to be railroad tunnel has finally been completed.

The Gotthard Base Tunnel was being drilled by a huge machine named “Sissi”. Its job now is just about complete, as workers have reached the other side of the Swiss Alps. Even though drilling is now over with, the tunnel will not be operational until the end of 2017, if all goes as planned.

The goal that was set forth was to create a tunnel that would allow trains to go straight through the large mountains in Switzerland, rather than having to maneuver around or over them. The goal appears to be complete. Travel times will be cut by approximately 3 1/2 hours going from Zürich to Milan. Now that the tunnel is has been drilled, what remains is building the actual railway. When complete, trains will be able to reach speeds close to 170 MPH.

The Gotthard Base Tunnel is now the longest rail tunnel, after surpassing the Seikan Tunnel located in Japan, which is 33.46 miles long.

“Yesterday we sought to move mountains. Today we have bored right through it and created the world’s longest tunnel,” said Transport Minister Moritz Leuenberger.

The cost of the project is estimated to be approximately $10.32 Billion, and will includes two side-by-side tunnels, with eventual railroad tracks in each. Swiss citizens will all be taxed $1300 each, for the project. Most of them were not opposed to the idea, since the tunnel will save a lot of time and money once it is complete.