Bold concept for Helsinki-Tallinn tunnel
-----------------------------------------------
A pioneering design to bore a train tunnel between Helsinki and Tallinn is gaining ground after Finland and Estonia signed a letter of intent
-----------------------------------------------
Tunnel length: 103km, making it world’s longest undersea tunnel
-----------------------------------------------
Current journey time by ferry: 2 hours
-----------------------------------------------
High speed train travel time through tunnel: 20 minutes
-----------------------------------------------
Norwegian Sea
FINLAND 
ESTONIA
-----------------------------------------------
FINLAND
Vantaa Airport
Helsinki 
Uppoluoto*
Gulf of Finland
Tallinnamadal*

10km Tallinn 0.6 miles

ESTONIA
-----------------------------------------------
*Candidate artificial islands that could be enlarged to provide ventilation, electricty and access to tunnels
-----------------------------------------------
Stable granite bedrock

Tunnel diameters: 17m. Allows them to also carry pipes and cables or be repurposed for future technologies
-----------------------------------------------
Each large enough to house two rail tracks
-----------------------------------------------
Island nearest Helsinki would become entertainment hub with train station, shops, businesses and housing
-----------------------------------------------
Spoil from tunnels to be used to create two artificial islands
-----------------------------------------------
Depth: Up to 250m
-----------------------------------------------
Plan headed up by entrepreneur Peter Vesterbacka, who made his fortune from Angry Birds video game (his nickname is Mighty Eagle). Expected cost put at €15-20 billion, mostly funded by Chinese backers, leading some to accuse project of being too accommodating of China’s Belt and Road Initiative
-----------------------------------------------
Sources: Helsinki Times, Euronews, Emerging Europe, Politico, New Civil Engineer, FinEst Bay Area Development. Pictures: FinEst Bay Area Development, Getty Images, Rovio © GRAPHIC NEWS