<P> Ideas for a cross-Channel fixed link appeared as early as 1802 , but British political and press pressure over the compromising of national security stalled attempts to construct a tunnel . An early attempt at building a Channel Tunnel was made in the late 19th century , on the English side `` in the hope of forcing the hand of the English Government '' . The eventual successful project , organised by Eurotunnel , began construction in 1988 and opened in 1994 . At £ 5.5 billion ( 1985 prices ) , it was at the time the most expensive construction project ever proposed . The cost finally came in at £ 9 billion ( $21 billion ) , well over its predicted budget . </P>
<P> Ideas for a cross-Channel fixed link appeared as early as 1802 , but British political and press pressure over the compromising of national security stalled attempts to construct a tunnel . An early attempt at building a Channel Tunnel was made in the late 19th century , on the English side `` in the hope of forcing the hand of the English Government '' . The eventual successful project , organised by Eurotunnel , began construction in 1988 and opened in 1994 . At £ 5.5 billion ( 1985 prices ) , it was at the time the most expensive construction project ever proposed . The cost finally came in at £ 9 billion ( $21 billion ) , well over its predicted budget . </P>
when was the channel tunnel first thought of
when was the channel tunnel first thought of
as early as 1802
as early as 1802