Bering Strait Tunnel

OurHero · April 18th, 2007, 01:35 PM

After years of speculation, plans are becoming more concrete.

April 18 (Bloomberg) -- Russia plans to build the world's longest tunnel, a transport and pipeline link under the Bering Strait to Alaska, as part of a $65 billion project to supply the U.S. with oil, natural gas and electricity from Siberia.

From:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...5tQ&refer=home

New signs of Russia as an energy world power.

Alex Von Königsberg · April 19th, 2007, 05:44 AM

Yeah... They better build something that would lead to this tunnel on the mainland first

As far as I know, they don't have any decent roads in the Far East region.

DrT · April 19th, 2007, 05:49 AM

Yeah, Gazprom wants us dependent on their oil and natural gas, and run it mafia style for the benefit of a few autocrats. No foreign investors allowed.
I would politely decline permission to reach our territorial waters.

pwalker · April 19th, 2007, 05:50 AM

Nor is there any decent highway from far western Alaska to the population centers of Anchorage and Fairbanks. This is an amazing project, but a lot has to happen to make it viable.

OurHero · April 19th, 2007, 08:58 AM

My guess is that the main goal is the pipeline connection. Rail could be good for other trade. The highway is just for show.

The Russians are quite experienced when it comes to long distance rail and pipeline connections. Transsiberian for example.

Bobdreamz · April 19th, 2007, 09:50 AM

this sounds like an incredible project but what are the chances of it getting built? I remember they had been floating around an idea for a Bering Strait bridge but was physically impossible.

Xelebes · April 19th, 2007, 11:31 PM

If it gets built, it will be a boon for Edmonton, Yellowknife, Fairbanks and... uh... yeah.

First, let's work on the roads.

RPM · April 20th, 2007, 12:02 AM

Actually there are NO roads in western Alaska, none, zilch. Beyond that it is impossible to keep the highways open in the winter, we had 34 feet of snow where I live and the highway was closed more often than not all winter long. Beyond that both Federal governments are going to have to add Customs facilities on their respective sides, as well as the state of Alaska having to hire more State Troopers; and finding individuals willing to staff remote locations is nearly impossible, especially with the extremely high cost of living out in the bush.
I doubt it would benefit Yellowknife, maybe you ment Whitehorse which is on the Alcan Highway.
It would be far better plan to build another oil and gas pipeline that crosses the Bering Strait.

***z0rg*** · April 20th, 2007, 12:34 AM

Excellent!!!

Xelebes · April 20th, 2007, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPM

Actually there are NO roads in western Alaska, none, zilch. Beyond that it is impossible to keep the highways open in the winter, we had 34 feet of snow where I live and the highway was closed more often than not all winter long. Beyond that both Federal governments are going to have to add Customs facilities on their respective sides, as well as the state of Alaska having to hire more State Troopers; and finding individuals willing to staff remote locations is nearly impossible, especially with the extremely high cost of living out in the bush.
I doubt it would benefit Yellowknife, maybe you ment Whitehorse which is on the Alcan Highway.
It would be far better plan to build another oil and gas pipeline that crosses the Bering Strait.

White horse would probably too. We just need roads in the north, period.

Huhu · April 20th, 2007, 06:57 AM

Seems like the Russians are just using this as a stunt to squeeze the Europeans. Doubt that this project would be economically feasible since you'll be connecting sparsely populated areas with more sparsely populated areas.

Aokromes · April 20th, 2007, 12:48 PM

@Huhu the target of this proyect is not population, instead energy and resources transport.

Gamma-Hamster · April 20th, 2007, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPM

Actually there are NO roads in western Alaska, none, zilch.

Then there will be good motivation to build some

Verso · April 20th, 2007, 08:04 PM

This tunnel would be awesome!!

redbaron_012 · April 21st, 2007, 03:19 AM

You could say...how about a drive from Argentina to Spain !

***Xusein*** · April 21st, 2007, 03:49 AM

Other than getting some Russian oil, I don't see much of a point.

Huhu · April 21st, 2007, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aokromes

@Huhu the target of this proyect is not population, instead energy and resources transport.

Just a pipeline would make more sense than a road/rail connection if it's just for oil and gas. A tunnel serves no purpose except to attract publicity. In terms of freight, it's cheaper and more efficient to ship goods by sea than by rail across thousands of miles of empty frozen tundra.

kucksi · April 21st, 2007, 11:41 AM

i dont know if that means something but the governor of the chukotka oblast (which is the territory of the bering strait on the russian side) is Roman Abramovich

i wouldnt be surprised if thats hes idea lol

***ChrisZwolle*** · April 21st, 2007, 12:57 PM

There is just one problem. The Russian side of the Bering strait, is about 2800km from Jakutsk, where the nearest connecting roads are. In Alaska aren't roads or railways in that area either. This Bering Strait is about 3600km from the Transsib Railroad.

The nearest town is Anadyr, pop 10.000 some 750km away over land. Russia is so huge...

Verso · April 21st, 2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris1491

There is just one problem. The Russian side of the Bering strait, is about 2800km from Jakutsk, where the nearest connecting roads are.

Isn't there a road between Yakutsk and Magadan?

April 18th, 2007, 01:35 PM	#1
OurHero Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 98 Likes (Received): 0	Bering Strait Tunnel After years of speculation, plans are becoming more concrete. April 18 (Bloomberg) -- Russia plans to build the world's longest tunnel, a transport and pipeline link under the Bering Strait to Alaska, as part of a $65 billion project to supply the U.S. with oil, natural gas and electricity from Siberia. From: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...5tQ&refer=home New signs of Russia as an energy world power. Last edited by OurHero; April 18th, 2007 at 01:44 PM.

April 19th, 2007, 09:50 AM	#6
Bobdreamz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Miami/Orlando, Florida Posts: 1,846 Likes (Received): 3	this sounds like an incredible project but what are the chances of it getting built? I remember they had been floating around an idea for a Bering Strait bridge but was physically impossible. __________________ Metro Miami...1000+ highrises completed & under construction.

April 20th, 2007, 12:34 AM	#9
*z0rg* Ironborn member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Pike Posts: 21,554 Likes (Received): 723	Excellent!!! __________________ What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger. List of skyscrapers in Shenzhen.

April 20th, 2007, 12:48 PM	#12
Aokromes Patatero Inside Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Siberia-Gasteiz Posts: 5,629 Likes (Received): 74	@Huhu the target of this proyect is not population, instead energy and resources transport. __________________ Si quieres compatibilidad con estandares y seguridad, ¿pq recomiendas Firefox y no Opera? If you want compatibility with standards and security, ¿why do you recomend firefox and not Opera? I am Basque, not Russian, the "Siberia" thing is a joke.

April 20th, 2007, 08:04 PM	#14
Verso Synchronized User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ljubljana Posts: 19,305 Likes (Received): 440	This tunnel would be awesome!! __________________ take a ride on slovenian highways

April 19th, 2007, 05:44 AM	#2
Alex Von Königsberg Legalise it! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Кёниг -> Californian Ghetto :-( Posts: 1,045 Likes (Received): 0	Yeah... They better build something that would lead to this tunnel on the mainland first As far as I know, they don't have any decent roads in the Far East region.

April 19th, 2007, 05:49 AM	#3
DrT "The Ignorant Fool" Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: JAX,MCO,YVR,YYZ,SRQ Posts: 2,595 Likes (Received): 1	Yeah, Gazprom wants us dependent on their oil and natural gas, and run it mafia style for the benefit of a few autocrats. No foreign investors allowed. I would politely decline permission to reach our territorial waters.

April 19th, 2007, 05:50 AM	#4
pwalker Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Native Seattleite Posts: 1,257 Likes (Received): 3	Nor is there any decent highway from far western Alaska to the population centers of Anchorage and Fairbanks. This is an amazing project, but a lot has to happen to make it viable.

April 19th, 2007, 08:58 AM	#5
OurHero Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 98 Likes (Received): 0	My guess is that the main goal is the pipeline connection. Rail could be good for other trade. The highway is just for show. The Russians are quite experienced when it comes to long distance rail and pipeline connections. Transsiberian for example.

April 19th, 2007, 11:31 PM	#7
Xelebes Salad Days Are Here Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Едмончук/Oil Capital of Canada Posts: 3,478 Likes (Received): 52	If it gets built, it will be a boon for Edmonton, Yellowknife, Fairbanks and... uh... yeah. First, let's work on the roads.

April 20th, 2007, 12:02 AM	#8
RPM exiled New Yorker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hollywood Fl and Vancouver BC Posts: 203 Likes (Received): 0	Actually there are NO roads in western Alaska, none, zilch. Beyond that it is impossible to keep the highways open in the winter, we had 34 feet of snow where I live and the highway was closed more often than not all winter long. Beyond that both Federal governments are going to have to add Customs facilities on their respective sides, as well as the state of Alaska having to hire more State Troopers; and finding individuals willing to staff remote locations is nearly impossible, especially with the extremely high cost of living out in the bush. I doubt it would benefit Yellowknife, maybe you ment Whitehorse which is on the Alcan Highway. It would be far better plan to build another oil and gas pipeline that crosses the Bering Strait.

April 20th, 2007, 06:57 AM	#11
Huhu Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 2,045 Likes (Received): 11	Seems like the Russians are just using this as a stunt to squeeze the Europeans. Doubt that this project would be economically feasible since you'll be connecting sparsely populated areas with more sparsely populated areas.

April 21st, 2007, 03:19 AM	#15
redbaron_012 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Melbourne Posts: 6,061 Likes (Received): 118	You could say...how about a drive from Argentina to Spain !

April 21st, 2007, 03:49 AM	#16
*Xusein* Somali Mod Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kingdom Come Posts: 24,564 Likes (Received): 434	Other than getting some Russian oil, I don't see much of a point. __________________ SkyscraperCity SOOMAALIYA

April 21st, 2007, 11:41 AM	#18
kucksi nemtudom Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: budapest HU/wellington NZ Posts: 106 Likes (Received): 0	i dont know if that means something but the governor of the chukotka oblast (which is the territory of the bering strait on the russian side) is Roman Abramovich i wouldnt be surprised if thats hes idea lol __________________ IRC POWA kucksi@ircnet

April 21st, 2007, 12:57 PM	#19
*ChrisZwolle* Road user Join Date: May 2006 Location: Zwolle Posts: 28,773 Likes (Received): 449	There is just one problem. The Russian side of the Bering strait, is about 2800km from Jakutsk, where the nearest connecting roads are. In Alaska aren't roads or railways in that area either. This Bering Strait is about 3600km from the Transsib Railroad. The nearest town is Anadyr, pop 10.000 some 750km away over land. Russia is so huge...

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