Fréjus Rail Tunnel through the Alps completed (1870–1871)

The Fréjus Rail Tunnel, a 13.7 km passage through the Alps linking Bardonecchia in Italy to Modane in France, saw its galleries meet on 26 December 1870, when French and Italian workers shook hands. The tunnel was not opened to traffic until 17 September 1871, after which the temporary Mont Cenis Pass Railway was dismantled.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. The Fréjus Rail Tunnel, also known as the Mont Cenis Tunnel, is a 13.7 km rail tunnel in the European Alps. It connects the Turin–Modane railway to the Culoz–Modane railway, linking Bardonecchia in Italy to Modane in France. Construction began in August 1857 under Savoyard civil engineer Germain Sommeiller, when both ends were in the Kingdom of Sardinia.

Gallery Breakthrough. On 26 December 1870, French and Italian workers shook hands as their galleries met halfway. The alignment was accurate to within 40 centimeters horizontally and 60 centimeters vertically. This breakthrough preceded the official opening to traffic on 17 September 1871, which facilitated new interaction between France and Italy.

Transition. The Mont Cenis Pass Railway, opened in 1868 as a temporary link over the pass, was dismantled in 1871 upon the opening of the Fréjus Rail Tunnel. The descent from the pass lies through the Cenis Valley to Susa, where the road joins the railway.

People involved

Sources

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