Sakhalin Tunnel
Encyclopedia
The Sakhalin Tunnel is an incomplete and currently postponed construction project, which after completion would connect the island of Sakhalin
with mainland Russia
via a tunnel
of approximately 10 km under the Nevelskoy Strait
(the narrowest part of the Strait of Tartary
). On the 16th of January, 2009, it was suggested by the Russian government the link could be completed with a bridge, rather than tunnel.
has existed since the 19th century, although it was never seriously pursued due to economic reasons. Studies into the feasibility of the project were first undertaken by the Soviet Union
in the late 1930s, although the Second World War made progress at this time impossible. Stalin later announced in 1950 his intention to build a railway link to Sakhalin
, either via rail ferry, a causeway
or a tunnel
. A decision to construct a tunnel was announced by the Soviet government on May 5, 1950, along with a rail ferry link to serve as a temporary solution. The project was intended primarily to serve a military purpose, allowing better connection between Sakhalin and the mainland for sections of the Red Army
stationed on the island.
to the intended tunnel portal was assigned to the Soviet Ministry of Internal Affairs, with the Ministry of Transport in charge of the tunnel itself. In 1952 the project was transferred to the full management of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The planned route on Sakhalin was intended to run 327 km from Cape Pogibi, where the tunnel should resurface, to Pobedino (formerly known as "Koton" under Japanese rule), 10 km north of Smirnykh
and the then northern terminus of the railway in Sakhalin. The length of the tunnel between Cape Pogibi and Cape Lasarev was planned to be around 10 km. On the mainland, a rail line was to be constructed to the railway connecting Komsomolsk-on-Amur
with Sovetskaya Gavan
, now a section of the Baikal Amur Mainline.
The project was planned for completion by the end of 1953, and to be in full operation by the end of 1955. Goods traffic on the line was projected to reach 4 million tonnes per annum.
The project included three separate constructions - mainland and island railway links, connecting with the rest of railroad network (Building 507 and 505 respectively) and tunnel itself (Building 506). Railway and tunnel characteristics were very poor, in fact, it was temporary way, which must be followed by capital rebuilding after construction.
The construction was largely undertaken by gulag
prisoners, with the main camps situated at Tymovskoye on Sakhalin and at De-Kastri on the mainland. At the start of 1953, more than 27,000 prisoners were working on the project. Particularly on the island, conditions for the forced laborers were worsened by a lack of any real infrastructure or the required technology. Due to the tight time schedule, conditions in the camps were very poor, well below the official state regulations for prison camps.
Tunnel works (Building 506) had another character. It was to be constructed by military engineers, Metrostroy tunnel specialists and qualified amnestied gulag workers.
After the death of Stalin, work on the project stopped, with the tunnel allegedly almost halfway across the straits, although later investigation has shown that just two shafts for TBM had been dug. While the reasons for cancellation of the project are not fully clear, some sources have indicated that because of numerous amnesties granted to prisoners after Stalin's death, there was no longer the required workforce. Tunnel workers waited eight months before cancellation, but without linking railways, the tunnel had no purpose.
Remains of the tunnel entrance are still visible around Cape Lasarev. No new track was built on Sakhalin, although preparatory earthworks on the planned route was used in the construction of a road from Nysh to Pogibi.
has connected Vanino
(on the mainland near Sovetskaya Gavan
) with the town of Kholmsk
on Sakhalin.
Even after the dissolution of the Soviet Union
, there have been calls for a revival of the project from politicians, although there have been concerns that the costs of the project would outweigh the benefits. However, there have been recent signs that the link is under serious consideration, including an announcement of support from Russian President Dimitry Medvedev in November 2008. The project is proposed to be completed by 2030.
New plans would see the connection in Sakhalin at Nogliki
, which has in the meantime been connected to the island's rail network. Works to convert the island's narrow-gauge rail system, a legacy of the previous Japanese colonisation
of the southern half of the island, to the broader Russian standard gauge.
There have also been proposals to connect the southern tip of Sakhalin to the Japanese island of Hokkaido
via a 40 km long bridge or tunnel, thereby allowing a direct land transport link for container traffic from Japan to the Asian mainland
and Europe.
On 16 January 2009, Vice-Minister of Transport Andrei Nedossekov confirmed that proposals are now under consideration in regards to the Sakhalin-Hokkaido Tunnel
. These plans have proposed a bridge rather than a tunnel, with current planning suggesting a tunnel would be 12.4 km, whilst a bridge 6.6 km. An invitation for proposals to Japanese companies by the Russian government has now been issued. His decision to invite Japanese companies to bid to become consortium members of a wide array of Russian rail infrastructure work, particularly the Sakhalin Tunnel (or bridge) to the Russian mainland could be taken as a nod towards future rail cooperation between Russia and Japan.
Sakhalin
Sakhalin or Saghalien, is a large island in the North Pacific, lying between 45°50' and 54°24' N.It is part of Russia, and is Russia's largest island, and is administered as part of Sakhalin Oblast...
with mainland Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
via a tunnel
Tunnel
A tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end.A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers...
of approximately 10 km under the Nevelskoy Strait
Nevelskoy Strait
The Nevelskoy Strait is a strait between Eurasia and Sakhalin that connects the main body of the Strait of Tartary with the Amur Liman . It was named in memory of Capt...
(the narrowest part of the Strait of Tartary
Strait of Tartary
Strait of Tartary is a strait in the Pacific Ocean dividing the Russian island of Sakhalin from mainland Asia , connecting the Sea of Okhotsk on the north with...
). On the 16th of January, 2009, it was suggested by the Russian government the link could be completed with a bridge, rather than tunnel.
Early proposals and planning
The concept of a tunnel under the Nevelskoy StraitNevelskoy Strait
The Nevelskoy Strait is a strait between Eurasia and Sakhalin that connects the main body of the Strait of Tartary with the Amur Liman . It was named in memory of Capt...
has existed since the 19th century, although it was never seriously pursued due to economic reasons. Studies into the feasibility of the project were first undertaken by the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
in the late 1930s, although the Second World War made progress at this time impossible. Stalin later announced in 1950 his intention to build a railway link to Sakhalin
Sakhalin
Sakhalin or Saghalien, is a large island in the North Pacific, lying between 45°50' and 54°24' N.It is part of Russia, and is Russia's largest island, and is administered as part of Sakhalin Oblast...
, either via rail ferry, a causeway
Causeway
In modern usage, a causeway is a road or railway elevated, usually across a broad body of water or wetland.- Etymology :When first used, the word appeared in a form such as “causey way” making clear its derivation from the earlier form “causey”. This word seems to have come from the same source by...
or a tunnel
Tunnel
A tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end.A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers...
. A decision to construct a tunnel was announced by the Soviet government on May 5, 1950, along with a rail ferry link to serve as a temporary solution. The project was intended primarily to serve a military purpose, allowing better connection between Sakhalin and the mainland for sections of the Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
stationed on the island.
Construction
The construction of the railway connection from Selekhino near Komsomolsk-on-AmurKomsomolsk-on-Amur
Komsomolsk-on-Amur is a city in Khabarovsk Krai, Russia, situated on the left bank of Amur River. It is located on the BAM railway line, northeast of Khabarovsk. Population: -Geography and climate:...
to the intended tunnel portal was assigned to the Soviet Ministry of Internal Affairs, with the Ministry of Transport in charge of the tunnel itself. In 1952 the project was transferred to the full management of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The planned route on Sakhalin was intended to run 327 km from Cape Pogibi, where the tunnel should resurface, to Pobedino (formerly known as "Koton" under Japanese rule), 10 km north of Smirnykh
Smirnykh
Smirnykh is an urban-type settlement in Sakhalin Oblast, Russia. It is located in the central part of Sakhalin at . Population: 7,561 ; 9,693 . Former name was Keton during Japanese rule ....
and the then northern terminus of the railway in Sakhalin. The length of the tunnel between Cape Pogibi and Cape Lasarev was planned to be around 10 km. On the mainland, a rail line was to be constructed to the railway connecting Komsomolsk-on-Amur
Komsomolsk-on-Amur
Komsomolsk-on-Amur is a city in Khabarovsk Krai, Russia, situated on the left bank of Amur River. It is located on the BAM railway line, northeast of Khabarovsk. Population: -Geography and climate:...
with Sovetskaya Gavan
Sovetskaya Gavan
Sovetskaya Gavan is a town in Khabarovsk Krai, Russia, and a port on the Strait of Tartary which connects the Sea of Okhotsk on the north with the Sea of Japan on the south. Population: 29,100 ; The name of the town is often informally abbreviated to "Sovgavan".-History:The bay on which...
, now a section of the Baikal Amur Mainline.
The project was planned for completion by the end of 1953, and to be in full operation by the end of 1955. Goods traffic on the line was projected to reach 4 million tonnes per annum.
The project included three separate constructions - mainland and island railway links, connecting with the rest of railroad network (Building 507 and 505 respectively) and tunnel itself (Building 506). Railway and tunnel characteristics were very poor, in fact, it was temporary way, which must be followed by capital rebuilding after construction.
The construction was largely undertaken by gulag
Gulag
The Gulag was the government agency that administered the main Soviet forced labor camp systems. While the camps housed a wide range of convicts, from petty criminals to political prisoners, large numbers were convicted by simplified procedures, such as NKVD troikas and other instruments of...
prisoners, with the main camps situated at Tymovskoye on Sakhalin and at De-Kastri on the mainland. At the start of 1953, more than 27,000 prisoners were working on the project. Particularly on the island, conditions for the forced laborers were worsened by a lack of any real infrastructure or the required technology. Due to the tight time schedule, conditions in the camps were very poor, well below the official state regulations for prison camps.
Tunnel works (Building 506) had another character. It was to be constructed by military engineers, Metrostroy tunnel specialists and qualified amnestied gulag workers.
After the death of Stalin, work on the project stopped, with the tunnel allegedly almost halfway across the straits, although later investigation has shown that just two shafts for TBM had been dug. While the reasons for cancellation of the project are not fully clear, some sources have indicated that because of numerous amnesties granted to prisoners after Stalin's death, there was no longer the required workforce. Tunnel workers waited eight months before cancellation, but without linking railways, the tunnel had no purpose.
Completed sections of the project
Around 120 km of track along the right bank of the Amur River from Selekhino to Chorny Mys was completed. This was later used for transport of lumber by the Soviet forestry industry, but was later closed and the track has been largely dismantled.Remains of the tunnel entrance are still visible around Cape Lasarev. No new track was built on Sakhalin, although preparatory earthworks on the planned route was used in the construction of a road from Nysh to Pogibi.
Current operations and future prospects
Since 1973, a train ferryTrain ferry
A train ferry is a ship designed to carry railway vehicles. Typically, one level of the ship is fitted with railway tracks, and the vessel has a door at the front and/or rear to give access to the wharves. In the United States, train ferries are sometimes referred to as "car ferries", as...
has connected Vanino
Vanino
Vanino is the name of several inhabited localities in Russia.Urban localities*Vanino, Khabarovsk Krai, a work settlement in Vaninsky District of Khabarovsk KraiRural localities*Vanino, Kirov Oblast, a village in Afanasyevsky District of Kirov Oblast...
(on the mainland near Sovetskaya Gavan
Sovetskaya Gavan
Sovetskaya Gavan is a town in Khabarovsk Krai, Russia, and a port on the Strait of Tartary which connects the Sea of Okhotsk on the north with the Sea of Japan on the south. Population: 29,100 ; The name of the town is often informally abbreviated to "Sovgavan".-History:The bay on which...
) with the town of Kholmsk
Kholmsk
Kholmsk is a town in Sakhalin Oblast, Russia, the administrative center of Kholmsky District. Population: 35,141 .-History:The town was founded in 1870 as a military post. After the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05, the town was transferred to Japanese control, along with the rest of southern...
on Sakhalin.
Even after the dissolution of the Soviet Union
Dissolution of the Soviet Union
The dissolution of the Soviet Union was the disintegration of the federal political structures and central government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , resulting in the independence of all fifteen republics of the Soviet Union between March 11, 1990 and December 25, 1991...
, there have been calls for a revival of the project from politicians, although there have been concerns that the costs of the project would outweigh the benefits. However, there have been recent signs that the link is under serious consideration, including an announcement of support from Russian President Dimitry Medvedev in November 2008. The project is proposed to be completed by 2030.
New plans would see the connection in Sakhalin at Nogliki
Nogliki
Nogliki is an urban-type settlement and the administrative center of Nogliksky District of Sakhalin Oblast, Russia. Population: 10,854 ; -Geography:...
, which has in the meantime been connected to the island's rail network. Works to convert the island's narrow-gauge rail system, a legacy of the previous Japanese colonisation
Karafuto Prefecture
, commonly called South Sakhalin, was the Japanese administrative division corresponding to Japanese territory on Sakhalin from 1905 to 1945. Through the Treaty of Portsmouth, the portion of Sakhalin south of 50°N became a colony of Japan in 1905...
of the southern half of the island, to the broader Russian standard gauge.
There have also been proposals to connect the southern tip of Sakhalin to the Japanese island of Hokkaido
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
via a 40 km long bridge or tunnel, thereby allowing a direct land transport link for container traffic from Japan to the Asian mainland
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
and Europe.
On 16 January 2009, Vice-Minister of Transport Andrei Nedossekov confirmed that proposals are now under consideration in regards to the Sakhalin-Hokkaido Tunnel
Sakhalin-Hokkaido Tunnel
The Sakhalin-Hokkaidō Tunnel is a proposed connection to link the Russian island of Sakhalin with the Japanese island of Hokkaidō. Estimates by Russia put the price at $50bn.- Overview :...
. These plans have proposed a bridge rather than a tunnel, with current planning suggesting a tunnel would be 12.4 km, whilst a bridge 6.6 km. An invitation for proposals to Japanese companies by the Russian government has now been issued. His decision to invite Japanese companies to bid to become consortium members of a wide array of Russian rail infrastructure work, particularly the Sakhalin Tunnel (or bridge) to the Russian mainland could be taken as a nod towards future rail cooperation between Russia and Japan.