Colombia has earned its spot among the greats when it comes to infrastructure, thanks to the longest tunnel within Latin America.
The Guillermo Gaviria Echeverri Tunnel, also known as the Toyo Tunnel, spans an impressive 6m with excavation completed – but is still not officially open for business.
It is estimated to have cost the Colombian government a whopping £108,691,488 to complete the tunnel.
The tunnel has caused a number of challenges during its construction phase, but the ambitious project is a fine example of the region’s engineering power, making it a benchmark across Latin America and will help improve the transport of goods and lower travel times once completed.
The excavated tunnel is found in the department of Antioquia between the municipalities of Giraldo and Cañasgordas.
A symbol of modern engineering, the Guillermo Gaviria Echeverri Tunnel will help to improve connectivity between the country’s Atlantic coast and its interior.
The tunnel, once completed, will be the longest in the country and in all of the Americas and includes the construction of a number of bridges and tunnels.
It will also bring a boost to the surrounding locals as it boosts tourism and economic growth in the region.
Apart from it being the longest tunnel in Latin America, the Guillermo Gaviria Echeverri Tunnel will also the deepest on the continent.
Reaching 900m below the mountain’s profile, construction of this project required advanced technology including collaboration from engineering experts across the world.
This intricate and critical project comprises of 29 bridges and 18 tunnels.
Once completed, the tunnel will reduce travel time from Medellín to western Urabá to 4.5 hours, a big reduction from where it sits now at about 8.5 hours.