Kanmon Tunnel
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The Kanmon Railway Tunnel (関門鉄道トンネル kanmon tetsudō tonneru) was the first undersea tunnel in Japan. It crosses the Kanmon Straits, connecting the islands of Honshū and Kyūshū of Japan. Along with the Kanmon Bridge, it is an important link in the rail transportation system in that country. Construction began in 1936 and freight service commenced operation in 1942. The Honshū-bound link has a length of 3,604 m and the Kyūshū-bound link measures 3,614 m. The gauge is 1,067 mm and the electric supply is 1500 VDC. JR Kyushu assumed ownership of the line with the breakup of the JNR system in 1986.
The Kanmon Roadway Tunnel (関門国道トンネル kanmon kokudō tonneru) carries National Route 2 under the Kanmon Straits. It opened in 1958. With an overall length of 3,461 m, it includes 780 m undersea. The endpoints are in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi and Moji-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka.
The more modern Shin-Kanmon Tunnel carries the Sanyō Shinkansen under the same straits, and the Kanmon Bridge crosses the water above.
