In Pilsen, the longest tunnel will be constructed, an even longer one is being prepared

Březenský tunnel in the Chomutov region, put into operation in 2007

Prague, January 29 (ČTK) - The record for the longest railway tunnel in the Czech Republic will more than double after the completion of two four-kilometer tunnels near Plzeň, whose construction is scheduled to start on January 31. Currently, the longest tunnel is the Březenský tunnel near Chomutov (1758 meters). It was opened in 2007 and surpassed the Špičácký tunnel near the Šumava mountains of Železná Ruda (Klatovsko) by 11 meters, which has been in operation since 1878 and thus held the title for almost 130 years.
    The new tunnels on the III. railway corridor from Prague to Cheb in the section from Rokycany to Plzeň, which will run for 4150 m through the hills of Chlum and Homolka, are not expected to hold the top position among Czech railway tunnels for long. There are plans to build an 4810 m long tunnel near Chotýčany in the Českobudějovice region on the IV. corridor. Another tunnel on this corridor, the 3120 m long Hosínský tunnel, will also be longer than the current record-holder near Chomutov. The longest railway tunnel, measuring 24.7 km, was supposed to be built on the III. corridor between Prague and Beroun, but the government halted the project in 2010 due to financial savings.
    The length of the two single-track tunnels near Plzeň is 4150 m, out of a total of 8195 m, 8065 m will be excavated and 130 m will be deepened. In the deepest part, the track will run about 18 meters below the current terrain level. The track between Ejpovice and the Plzeň - Doubravka stop will be shortened by about six kilometers. The total approved cost of the project, which includes the modernization of the track from Rokycany to Plzeň, including the construction or reconstruction of 16 bridges, 15 culverts, and the energy center of the tunnels, is approximately 7.3 billion crowns.
    In the Czech Republic, there are about 160 railway tunnels in operation (managed by SŽDC), most of which are single-track.