Channel Tunnel
Three parallel tunnels under the English Channel: two rail tunnels and a central service tunnel.
Project at a glance
| Location | Folkestone (UK) to Coquelles (France) |
|---|---|
| Owner / agency | Getlink / Eurotunnel (concessionaire) |
| Completed / opened | 1994 |
| Sector | Tunnels |
| Length | about 50 km |
| Under the sea | about 38 km |
| Tunnels | Two rail tunnels and a central service tunnel |
| Rail tunnel size | 7.6 m |
| TBMs used | 11 |
Construction technology used
- Tunnel boring machines worked from both coasts through the chalk.
- The service tunnel was bored ahead of the rail tunnels as a pilot to study ground conditions.
Key facts
- Officially opened on 6 May 1994.
Learn the engineering behind it
- Tunnel boring machines · Tunnel Engineering
- Tunnel lining design · Tunnel Engineering
- Ventilation and fire safety · Tunnel Engineering
Watch on YouTube
Sources
Facts on this page are taken only from official or authoritative sources (owner agencies, government releases, designers and contractors) and written in our own words. A figure is shown only when we could confirm it from at least two of the sources below; anything we could not confirm is left out. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Author: Indiacon. Last reviewed 24 Oct 2026. Educational summary; not an official project document.