Imagine crossing the Atlantic in just 60 minutes. The proposed US$20 trillion (R379trn) Transatlantic Tunnel aims to make this possible, harnessing hyperloop technology to achieve speeds of 4 800km/h.
Despite its allure, the project faces monumental hurdles, making it more fantasy than feasible, according to The Economic Times.
At the core of the concept is hyperloop technology, which uses vacuum tubes to minimise air resistance, enabling ultra-fast travel.
First proposed in the 1970s by Swiss professor Marcel Juffer, the idea gained traction when Elon Musk called it a “fifth mode of transport” in 2012.
Musk added that his company, The Boring Company, “could build the tunnel for 1 000 times less money,” but his ambitious tunnelling ventures have faced setbacks, including repeated fines for safety violations and stalled projects.
Major challenges
- Construction time: Building a 4 900km tunnel could take centuries, as seen with the six-year construction of the 37km Channel Tunnel. According to Newsweek, building the Transatlantic Tunnel at a similar pace to the Channel Tunnel would take approximately 780 years.
- Engineering risks: Designs vary from ocean-floor tunnels to floating structures, each presenting significant challenges in the deep, volatile Atlantic.
- Technology readiness: Hyperloop remains experimental, with key projects like Hyperloop One shutting down in 2023. Musk’s test facilities have also been repurposed, casting doubt on the technology’s maturity.
The Transatlantic Tunnel is an ambitious vision of the future. Yet, with its immense costs, technical uncertainties and logistical challenges, it’s unlikely to materialise anytime soon.
