In late August, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of Russia approved the construction of the Bering Strait Crossing, an underwater railroad that will span the 100 kilometre-wide channel separating Alaska and the Siberian region of Russia. The project is expected to cost more than $65 billion, and will be developed over the course of the next 20 to 40 years.
A project that had been initially proposed centuries ago, it has been rejected numerous times over the years due to the ambitious nature of its production, and it will take a great deal of precise engineering and troubleshooting to make this happen. To build in water at such an extreme area comes with more problems than usual. Some complications may come from the cold climate, including the fact that large, 6-ft. thick ice floes often float through the area and may cause damage to the system and hinder its construction. Furthermore, some geological inconveniences may arise as well. Though the Bering Strait does lie outside the Pacific Ring of Fire, it still has a fault line beneath it and experiences a relatively high level of seismic activity, especially if they are trying to send trains through it.
Despite the potential difficulties, there are still features of the area that will help in the process. For instance, it is lucky that the channel is only about 180 feet deep, which will allow for easier construction and access. Also, it is planned to be very environmentally friendly, in terms of energy use. The fact that it passes through the ocean opens up opportunities to make use of the renewable energy sources offered, such as wind energy, and tidal energy.
The construction of the railway would make it possible for people to travel from North America to Asia by train, across the Pacific Ocean. If all goes as planned, people can expect to be taking day trips from Alaska to Russia by 2030, if not 2045. Moreover, the railway is also set to be connected to other European and American rail networks in such a way that one might be able to travel from New York to London, England without having to fly or sail.
However, the initial use to the crossing will not be recreational. Its primary use will be mainly for the transportation of cargo and trade goods. For example, it is expected to supply oil and natural gas to the U.S., imported from European sources. This should help in developing Siberia and improving U.S.-Russia relations, which have been strained in the past.
It will be a long and arduous process, but though we may not see the final product anytime soon, it has certainly made the world seem that much smaller already.
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