Ejpovice Tunnel

The Ejpovice Tunnel (Czech: Ejpovický tunel) is a two-tube railway tunnel in the Czech Republic. It is located on the Prague–Plzeň railway line at Ejpovice and therefore bears its name. Since its commissioning in 2018, it has been the longest railway tunnel in the country.[1] It shortens the journey between the city of Plzeň and the town of Rokycany from 20 to 11 minutes. The tunnel is designed for 200 km/h (120 mph), but the maximum speed is currently limited to 160 km/h (99 mph). The tunnel will remain the longest in the country until the planned Ore Mountains Base Tunnel between the Czech Republic and Germany surpasses it.

Ejpovice Tunnel

Ejpovice railway tunnel
Overview
Official name	Czech: Ejpovický tunel
Line	Prague–Plzeň
Location	Ejpovice, Czech Republic
Coordinates	49.7633536°N 13.4713144°E / 49.7633536; 13.4713144
Crosses	Chlum and Homolka hills near Ejpovice
Operation
Opened	15 November 2018 (2018-11-15)
Owner	Správa železnic
Operator	Správa železnic
Traffic	Railway
Character	Passenger and freight
Technical
Length	4.150 km (2.579 mi)
No. of tracks	2 single-track tubes
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) (standard gauge)
Electrified	25 kV AC
Operating speed	Maximum speed: 200 km/h (120 mph) Operational speed: 160 km/h (99 mph)

When building the two tubes, a tunnel boring machine from the manufacturer Herrenknecht was used, with which up to 182 meters were driven per week. The equivalent of 260 million euros was invested in the construction.