(Part 2)

The Channel Tunnel actually consists of three tunnels: the two running tunnels* and the service tunnel**. Single-track railway lines are laid down in each of the running tunnels. Normally, one of them carries passenger and freight trains from Britain to France and the other carries trains in the opposite direction. If one of the running tunnels is closed for maintenance, the other is used for train movement in both directions. A smaller third tunnel lies between the two train tunnels. It is called the service tunnel. There is a roadway inside it, so maintenance workers and emergency teams can reach any point of the Tunnel system in their road vehicles. The service tunnel is linked to the running tunnels at regular intervals by cross-passages***. In case of emergency or a train breakdown the passengers will leave the train through one of the cross-passages into the service tunnel where road vehicles will evacuate them to a safer place.

The total length of the Tunnel is about 50 km (3.7 km is laid underneath French territory; 9 km is laid underneath British territory and 37 km of the line is constructed under the waters of the English Channel). The electric trains run every 3 minutes during peak hours, providing the carrying capacity of 4,000 vehicles per hour in both directions. A typical passenger shuttle consists of 26 wagons. 13 double-deck carriages are used for carrying cars of average size; another 13 single-deck wagons are used for transporting buses and vans. Freight shuttles consist of 25 single-deck wagons. Each of them is capable of carrying a vehicle weighing up to 44 tons. Two electric locomotives are coupled in front and at the rear of each shuttle.

The time of crossing the Tunnel is 35 minutes, about an hour less than by ferry. Passengers and drivers remain in their vehicles. The gauge of the tunnel railway is standard that’s way the tunnel can be used for international passenger and freight trains.

Original estimate of construction cost was 7.2 billion dollars, but cost to date is 13.1 billion dollars shared between Britain, France and other investors. So far the project has not been quite profitable and still needs more investments.

The Tunnel personnel do its best to make passengers feel comfortable and safe during the crossing. But as it was mentioned by the commercial director of the Tunnel, they still have many serious problems and one of them is security. Nevertheless, the authorities are sure to be able to solve all the problems successfully.

Notes: *running tunnel – эксплуатационный тоннель

**service tunnel – служебный тоннель

***cross-passage – поперечный переход

Ex.26. Answer the following general questions:

1. Was the first design of the Channel Tunnel proposed in 1851?

2. Had only two projects been considered before the actual tunneling began?

3. Did the construction proceed very quickly?

4. Are double-track railway lines laid down in the running tunnels?

5. Is there a roadway inside the service tunnel?

6. Do the electric trains operate in the Channel Tunnel?

7. Does a typical passenger shuttle consist of 26 wagons?

8. Is the time of crossing the Channel Tunnel 30 minutes?

9. Has each shuttle two electric locomotives coupled in front and at the rear?

10. Can the Tunnel be used for international passenger and freight trains?

Ex.27. True or false? Correct the false statements.

1) The first project of the Tunnel was made in 1802. 2) The English engineer was the first to propose this project. 3) The construction of the Tunnel was in progress when the war (1803) began. 3) Ernst Beaumont was the second Frenchman to propose the project of the construction. 5) He began constructing the Tunnel, and the work was successfully completed. 6) The third project was proposed by a group of French, English and American engineers. 7) This project was approved by both French and English governments. 8) France opposed to the tunnel construction because of financial difficulties. 9) The construction actually began in 1988. 10) The work proceeded very slowly and was completed only 20 years later. 11) The Tunnel was opened for traffic on May 1, 1994. 12) The total length of the Tunnel is 37 km. 13) Passengers are carried in trains but freight is transported in horse-drawn carts. 14) The traffic frequency of trains is 4,000 vehicles per hour. 15) One can cross the tunnel on foot or by bicycle. 16) The project is very profitable.

Ex.28. Complete the following sentences.

1) The English Channel is also called___. 2) Sailors know the English Channel as___. 3) People have crossed the tunnel by___. 4) The idea of the tunnel construction___. 5) The British government objected to___. 6) The first project of the tunnel___. 7) Ernst Beaumont was not allowed to___. 8) In 1950s a research group was set up___. 9) In 1963 the British government refused___. 10) The Tunnel was opened for traffic___. 11) The Channel Tunnel actually consists of___. 12) If one of the running tunnels is closed___ 13) A smaller third tunnel ___. 14) There is a roadway___. 15) The service tunnel is linked to___. 16) In case of emergency or a train breakdown___. 17) The total length of the Tunnel___. 18) The electric trains___. 19) A typical passenger shuttle___. 20) Freight shuttles___. 21) Two electric locomotives are coupled___. 22) This railway is very convenient for drivers because___. 23) The gauge of the tunnel railway___. 24) So far the project___. 25) The Tunnel personnel___.

Ex.29. Here are the answers. Write the questions.

1) Nearly 200 years ago. 2) Albert Mathieu. 3) Because of financial difficulties. 4) On grounds of national security. 5) Only in 1988. 6) About six years. 7) On May 7, 1994. 8) About fifty kilometers. 9) 4,000 vehicles per hour. 10) Two main single track tunnels with a service tunnel between.

TEXT В

Read the following text to find answers to the given the questions.