Imagine having the ability to journey between the USA and the UK in under an hour – a timeframe that could even accommodate daily commuting.
This futuristic vision might not be far-fetched, as there are proposals on the table to construct a Transatlantic Tunnel connecting New York and London.
Currently, the fastest means of traveling between NYC and London is by airplane, with flights typically lasting around eight hours.
The concept of reducing travel time to just 54 minutes is undoubtedly attractive, though it would require a massive financial investment.
The estimated cost of this project would be a staggering $19.8 trillion, with the tunnel spanning a distance of 3,400 miles.
Due to the extensive work required, it is anticipated that completing the tunnel could take several decades.
For comparison, the Channel Tunnel, which connects England and France, measures only 23.5 miles and took six years to complete.
What would be the mechanics of such a tunnel?
There are several suggestions, such as constructing it beneath the seabed or even allowing it to hover over the Atlantic Ocean.
The idea is to suspend the tunnel using cables, thereby overcoming the challenges of building within the ocean itself.
It is suggested that vacuum technology could enable trains to travel at speeds exceeding 3,000 mph, reducing travel time to under an hour.
An alternative idea involves jet propulsion, where the engine’s thrust is generated by a high-speed jet of fluid. This method would necessitate an 18-minute deceleration period for safe arrival.
Despite these intriguing proposals, no official plans have been adopted by the American or UK governments, but that doesn’t rule out the possibility in the future.
However, Reddit users have speculated that if the tunnel ever comes to fruition, ticket prices would likely be exorbitant.
One commenter stated, “Perhaps more relevant than any technical issues, at that cost the price of a ticket would be sky high (ironically perhaps) to get any return in a reasonable timescale.”
Others commented on the prohibitive cost of construction, with one adding, “It would cost an insane amount up-front. We’re talking enough to bankrupt every government in the world.
“It would never pay for itself, because yearly maintenance costs would always be more than the amount it would save in air and sea transport—which isn’t as much as you might think, because many people would pay for air travel instead of spending several days crossing by train/automobile, and sea freight would remain cheaper.”