Severomuysky tunnel on Baikal-Amur Mainline put into operation
The Severomuysky tunnel is a unique construction. With its length of 15 km 343 m, it is the longest tunnel in Russia and the fifth in the world. This is arguably the most challenging tunnel project: permafrost, heavy groundwater encroachment, talus creeps, landslides, tectonic faults. During the construction, more than 2 million cu. meters of ground were processed, 700 thousand cu. meters of cast reinforced concrete were laid, 70 thousand tonnes of metal structures were installed.
Before the tunnel was built, trains had to take a 54-km detour. This entailed expensive track maintenance and affected traffic safety. Trains had to maneuver between steep hillsides, moving at a minimum speed and risking being hit by an avalanche. The Severomuysky tunnel made it possible to streamline traffic along the BAM. Thanks to the tunnel, the distance that used to take 2.5 hours can now be covered as quickly as in 15 minutes. Today, the travel time is 6 times faster.
Now that the Severomuysky tunnel was opened, the BAM can rightfully be deemed to be completed.