SWITZERLAND/(01 of21)
Open Image ModalA worker cycles through the construction site in the NEAT Gotthard Base tunnel near Sedrun April 2, 2013. Crossing the Alps, the world\'s longest train tunnel should become operational at the end of 2016. The project consists of two parallel single track tunnels, each of a length of 57 km (35 miles) REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann (SWITZERLANDBUSINESS TRAVEL - Tags: TRAVEL BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT CONSTRUCTION) (credit:Arnd Wiegmann / Reuters)
SWITZERLAND/(02 of21)
Open Image ModalJournalists stand beside rail tracks at the construction site in the NEAT Gotthard Base tunnel near Sedrun April 2, 2013. Crossing the Alps, the world\'s longest train tunnel should become operational at the end of 2016. The project consists of two parallel single track tunnels, each of a length of 57 km (35 miles) REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann (SWITZERLANDBUSINESS TRAVEL - Tags: TRAVEL BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT CONSTRUCTION) (credit:Arnd Wiegmann / Reuters)
SWITZERLAND/(03 of21)
Open Image ModalThe train engine Re 460 with newly designed exterior incorporating promotion for the 57km train tunnel through the Alps that will be the world\'s longest tunnel when completed in 2016, stands at the northern entrances of the NEAT Gotthard Base tunnel at Erstfeld, Uri, Switzerland on November 15, 2012. The project consists of two parallel single track tunnels, each of a length of 57 km (35 miles). REUTERS/Romina Amato (SWITZERLAND - Tags: TRANSPORT) (credit:Romina Amato / Reuters)
SWITZERLAND-TRANSPORT-RAIL(04 of21)
Open Image ModalGuests take a picture of one of the first train crossing the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world\'s longest rail tunnel during the opening ceremony near the town of Erstfeld, Switzerland, on June 1, 2016.\n\nThe new Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT) is set to become the world\'s longest railway tunnel when it opens on June 1. The 57-kilometre (35.4-mile) tunnel, which runs under the Alps, was first conceived in sketch-form in 1947 but construction began 17 years ago. / AFP / FABRICE COFFRINI (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:FABRICE COFFRINI via Getty Images)
YE Switzerland World's Longest Tunnel(05 of21)
Open Image Modal** FOR USE AS DESIRED, YEAR END PHOTOS ** FILE -In this Oct. 15, 2010 file photo, a miner stands in front of the drill machine \'Sissi\' after it broke through the rock at the final section Faido-Sedrun, at the construction site of the NEAT Gotthard Base Tunnel. With a length of 57 km (35 miles) crossing the Alps, the world\'s longest train tunnel should become operational at the end of 2017. (AP Photo/Christian Hartmann,Pool, File) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Schweiz Gotthard Tunnel(06 of21)
Open Image ModalAm Dienstag, 16. Juni 2009, bricht die Tunnelbohrmaschine Gabi durch das Teilstueck des Neattunnels zwischen Erstfeld und Amsteg. Ein halbes Jahr frueher als geplant ist am Dienstagmittag der Durchschlag der NEAT-Ostroehre zwischen Erstfeld und Amsteg erfolgt. Damit sind vom 153,5 Kilometer langen Tunnelsystem am Gotthard bereits 87 Prozent ausgebrochen. Der Hauptdurchschlag zwischen Sedrun und Faido soll Anfang 2011 folgen. (AP Photo/Keystone, Sigi Tischler) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Schweiz Gotthard Tunnel(07 of21)
Open Image ModalEin kleines Feuerwerk wird entfacht am Dienstag, 16. Juni 2009, nachdem die Tunnelbohrmaschine Gabi das Teilstueck des Neattunnels zwischen Erstfeld und Amsteg durchbrochen hat. Ein halbes Jahr frueher als geplant ist am Dienstagmittag der Durchschlag der NEAT-Ostroehre zwischen Erstfeld und Amsteg erfolgt. Damit sind vom 153,5 Kilometer langen Tunnelsystem am Gotthard bereits 87 Prozent ausgebrochen. Der Hauptdurchschlag zwischen Sedrun und Faido soll Anfang 2011 folgen. (AP Photo/Keystone, Sigi Tischler) --- Fireworks spark over the heads of miners, after the tunnel drilling machine \"Gabi\" broke through the last section of the AlpTransit \"New Railway Link through the Alps\" (NRLA) tunnel between Erstfeld and Amsteg, Switzerland, Tuesday, June 16, 2009. Therewith 87 per cent of the 153,7 kilometer long tunnel system are accomplished. (AP Photo/Keystone, Sigi Tischler) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Switzerland World's Longest Tunnel(08 of21)
Open Image ModalMiners watch as the drill machine \'Sissi\' breaks through the rock at the final section Faido-Sedrun, at the construction site of the NEAT Gotthard Base Tunnel Oct. 15, 2010. With a length of 57 km (35 miles) crossing the Alps, the world\'s longest train tunnel should become operational at the end of 2017. ((AP Photo/Christian Hartmann,Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Switzerland World's Longest Tunnel(09 of21)
Open Image ModalSwiss Minister of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications Moritz Leuenberger , center, and miners celebrate after the drill machine \'Sissi\' broke through the rock at the final section Faido-Sedrun, at the construction site of the NEAT Gotthard Base Tunnel Friday Oct. 15, 2010. With a length of 57 km (35 miles) crossing the Alps, the world\'s longest train tunnel should become operational at the end of 2017. (AP Photo/Christian Hartmann,Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
SWITZERLAND/(10 of21)
Open Image ModalJournalists take pictures during their visit to the construction site in the NEAT Gotthard Base tunnel near Sedrun April 2, 2013. Crossing the Alps, the world\'s longest train tunnel should become operational at the end of 2016. The project consists of two parallel single track tunnels, each of a length of 57 km (35 miles) REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann (SWITZERLANDBUSINESS TRAVEL - Tags: TRAVEL BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT CONSTRUCTION) (credit:Arnd Wiegmann / Reuters)
SWITZERLAND/(11 of21)
Open Image ModalSwiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter (L) and Swiss President and Finance Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf look up during their visit at the construction site of the NEAT Gotthard Base Tunnel in Sedrun, September 5, 2012. With a length of 57 km (35 miles) crossing the Alps, the world\'s longest train tunnel should become operational at the end of 2017. REUTERS/Pascal Lauener (SWITZERLAND - Tags: POLITICS TRANSPORT) (credit:Pascal Lauener / Reuters)
SWITZERLAND/(12 of21)
Open Image ModalJournalists visit the construction site in the NEAT Gotthard Base tunnel near Sedrun April 2, 2013. Crossing the Alps, the world\'s longest train tunnel should become operational at the end of 2016. The project consists of two parallel single track tunnels, each of a length of 57 km (35 miles) REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann (SWITZERLANDBUSINESS TRAVEL - Tags: TRAVEL BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT CONSTRUCTION) (credit:Arnd Wiegmann / Reuters)
Switzerland World's Longest Tunnel(13 of21)
Open Image ModalA minor waves a Swiss national flag, left, and a flag of the Graubuenden canton, right, as he and colleagues celebrate after the drill machine \'Sissi\' broke through the rock at the final section Faido-Sedrun, at the construction site of the NEAT Gotthard Base Tunnel Friday Oct. 15, 2010. With a length of 57 km (35 miles) crossing the Alps, the world\'s longest train tunnel should become operational at the end of 2017. (AP Photo/Christian Hartmann,Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
SWITZERLAND-TRANSPORT-RAIL(14 of21)
Open Image ModalSwiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann (C) cuts the ribbon next to Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) CEO Andreas Meyer and Swiss Transport Minister Doris Leuthard (R) during the opening ceremony of the Gotthard Base Tunnel, in Pollegio, Switzerland, on June 1, 2016. \nThe world\'s longest tunnel officially opened on June 1, with the trailblazing rail passage under the Swiss Alps aiming to ease transit through the heart of Europe. / AFP / POOL / RUBEN SPRICH (Photo credit should read RUBEN SPRICH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
SWITZERLAND-TRANSPORT-RAIL-ECONOMY-POLITICS(15 of21)
Open Image Modal(L-R) France\'s President Francois Hollande, Germany\'s Chancellor Angela Merkel and Switzerland\'s Federal President Johann Schneider-Ammann arrive in Pollegio for the opening ceremony of the NEAT Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world\'s longest and deepest rail tunnel, on June 1, 2016. / AFP / POOL / RUBEN SPRICH (Photo credit should read RUBEN SPRICH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
SWISS-TUNNEL/(16 of21)
Open Image Modal(L-R) France\'s President Francois Hollande, Germany\'s Chancellor Angela Merkel and Switzerland\'s President Johann Schneider-Ammann look on after travelling through the Gotthard Rail Tunnel, the longest tunnel in the world, on its opening day, at the southern portal in Pollegio, Switzerland, June 1, 2016. REUTERS/Peter Klauzner/Pool (credit:POOL New / Reuters)
SWITZERLAND-TRANSPORT-RAIL-ECONOMY-POLITICS(17 of21)
Open Image ModalGermany\'s Chancellor Angela Merckel (C) gestures as Italy\'s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi (L), Switzerland\'s Federal President Johann Schneider-Ammann (2-L) and France\'s President Francois Hollande look on while traveling in the VIP train during the opening ceremony of the NEAT Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world\'s longest and deepest rail tunnel, in Gotthard on June 1, 2016. \nThe world\'s longest tunnel officially opened on June 1, with the trailblazing rail passage under the Swiss Alps aiming to ease transit through the heart of Europe. With political unity on the continent shaken by a massive influx of migrants and the looming threat of Britain\'s EU departure, Swiss president Johan Schneider-Amman said the tunnel would \'join the people and the economies\' of Europe.\n / AFP / POOL / RUBEN SPRICH (Photo credit should read RUBEN SPRICH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
SWISS-TUNNEL(18 of21)
Open Image ModalSwiss Federal President Johann Schneider- Ammann, right, speaks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, on the opening day of the Gotthard rail tunnel, the longest tunnel in the world, at the fairground Rynaecht at the northern portal in Erstfeld, Switzerland, Wednesday, June 1, 2016. The construction of the 57 kilometer long tunnel began in 1999, the breakthrough was in 2010. After the official opening on June 1, the commercial opperation will commence on December 2016. REUTERS/Peter Klaunzer/Pool (credit:POOL New / Reuters)
SWISS-TUNNEL/(19 of21)
Open Image ModalSwiss Federal President Johann Schneider- Ammann, right, speaks with French President Francois Hollande, left, on the opening day of the Gotthard rail tunnel, the longest tunnel in the world, at the fairground Rynaecht at the northern portal in Erstfeld, Switzerland, Wednesday, June 1, 2016. The construction of the 57 kilometer long tunnel began in 1999, the breakthrough was in 2010. After the official opening on June 1, the commercial opperation will commence on December 2016. REUTERS/Peter Klaunzer/Pool (credit:POOL New / Reuters)
Switzerland Train Tunnel(20 of21)
Open Image ModalArtists perform during the opening show directed by German director Volker Hesse, on the opening day of the Gotthard rail tunnel, at the fairground Rynaecht at the northern portal in Erstfeld, Switzerland, Wednesday, June 1, 2016. The construction of the 57 kilometer long tunnel began in 1999, the breakthrough was in 2010. After the official opening on June 1, the commercial operation will start in December 2016. (Ruben Sprich/Pool Photo via AP) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Switzerland Train Tunnel(21 of21)
Open Image ModalArtists perform during the opening show directed by German director Volker Hesse, on the opening day of the Gotthard rail tunnel, at the fairground Rynaecht at the northern portal in Erstfeld, Switzerland, Wednesday, June 1, 2016. The construction of the 57 kilometer long tunnel began in 1999, the breakthrough was in 2010. After the official opening on June 1, the commercial operation will start in December 2016. (Ruben Sprich\\Pool Photo via AP) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)