The Simplon tunnel opened in 1906 - it's over a hundred years old. (Second tube, 1922). The Gothard dates to the 1880s. And don't forget the Trieste lines to Austria.
The biggest problem with Spain is the non-standard rail gauge. The rail link to Barcelona goes back many generations, and isn't really in the class of spectacular engineering.
One of the two largest mistakes made by England was the Chunnel.
- Hope you’re aware I’m not saying some major parts of Europe are totally disconnected from Central Europe. That’s not the case.
There were trafficked (land) routes between Central Europe and the Italian and Iberian peninsulas before the days of the Roman Empire (although perhaps not paved roads or anything like that).
Europe is indeed a part of the world that has accomplished much in this department.
One of the longest bridges of Europe is found in my home country, Sweden. It connects an Island with less than 25 000 inhabitants, Öland, to the Swedish mainland. It was built 35 years ago and is free of charge for all types of vehicles. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96land_bridge )
So, what’s the problem? Let’s build a tunnel/bridge connecting Southern Italy and Greece, a bridge across Fehmarn Belt (the water between Germany and South East Denmark island of Lolland. This is vital in the context of promoting German and Scandinavian trade, among other things), etc, etc.
If the Roman Empire could build majestic aqueducts supplying cities with a million inhabitants with fresh water that are still in use today (!), imagine what economies like those of South East Asia, Europe and North America could build.
PS. The main problem concerning the Chunnel is the heavy fees. If they were reduced by say, 80%, I think Britain, France and the whole of Europe would benefit much, much more from it.
Regards.
Let me guess. The other one was the assassination of Princess Diana?