( CNN ) -- A massive drilling machine broke through rock beneath the Swiss Alps on Friday , creating what is being touted as the world 's longest railroad tunnel . The Gotthard Base Tunnel is 57 km ( 34 miles ) and links northern and southern Europe , AlpTransit Gotthard company said in a statement . `` The world 's longest tunnel should become operational at the end of 2017 , '' the statement said . The tunnel will cut regional travel time on routes including Zurich , Switzerland , to Milan , Italy , an important business link . Officials say demands for railroads have increased as international trade goes up and road traffic worsens . Freight traffic in the entire Alpine region will grow by as much as 75 percent by 2010 , according to a study by the EU Commission . The trend will affect the environment , prompting Switzerland to adopt environmentally-friendly means of travel . The company says the tunnel is an environmental feat and will allow millions more tons of items to pass through the Alps by rail . `` Only by upgrading its railway infrastructure can Switzerland meet the rising demand for freight transportation and the increasing needs of customers , '' the statement said .
The tunnel will reduce travel time in the region , including between Switzerland and Italy . They say costs for railroads have increased as international trade goes up . It will also allow millions more tons of goods to pass through the region by rail , officials say .