Western Phoenix Ocean Tunnel

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Jels Kleinalst and Kincaid Isambard met at an International Railway Conference in Kerat, Kaschovia on the 4th of February 1987. They spoke about the innovation of water travel and how the boundaries of the Western Phoenix Ocean could be countered through underwater rail systems. They decided to work together on many projects, designs and plans over the next decade. It was not until 1989 that they had both settled on a connection line between the Kaschovian and Ceretian coasts.

In the summer of 1991, they began conceptualizing the underwater railway tunnel. Many ideas were discussed, some crazier than others, but it was during the summer of 1993 that they had finally decided on two distinctly close locations. Kalsa Bay to Aquitaine. Kalsa Bay was one of the western most ports, and would be a perfectly placed station for recieving imports and delivering exports. Aquitaine was the wine capital of Ceretis featuring possibly the world's largest wine expo 'duVin.' The city had a rich tapestry of architecture spanning many different eras and had the most registered preserved historic buildings in the nation.

They submitted their construction permission applications and funding bids to the Kaschovian National Railway Association and the Societe nationale des chemins de Ceretis. Both men were delighted, when in 1995, both companies respectively formed a project partnership, provided the funding and began construction of their plans. Kalsa Bay and Aquitaine exploded with industrial and manufacturing activity, as materials were pumped into the area. Both stations on either side of the line were finished by 2000, all that remained was the actual rail, and some intermediary island stations.

Around this time, the funding cap on the project was raised to $50 Billion, with both companies paying for 50% of their side of the tunnel. In 2009, the railway sections were almost finished, accounting for the lack of island stations at this point. Over the next six years, a chain of near-surface island rocks were built upon around 185km into the railway. By 2016, the railway was finally completed. It would take the companies an additional 7 months before all of the contracts, negotiations, employment and financial stabilization was completed. Isambard was 26 when he began the project, he is now 55. Kleinalst was 23 at the start of the project, and he is now 52.

The completion of the railway was marked as a key event in the transport of both nations, and begins a new era of water travel between the Phoenix Strait and offshore states such as Xentherida, Syrixia and Ceretis. The railway, and the stations responsible for its operation, officially open today. The entire track length stands at an unprecedented 336km.

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Kincaid made his way past the ever-growing crowds outside the terminal entrance, and with a flash of his ID badge, he was waved through, this time with a hot sandwich from a little 'hole in the wall' his friend Jels had tipped him off to a few years back. It was a treat he looked forward to whenever he made it over to Kalsa Bay, and things had been so busy preparing for today's ribbon cutting that he hadn't had a chance to grab anything to eat back in Aquitaine. Nobody had yet noticed he was back in the building, and hoping to eat in peace, he made a quick dash to a quiet little spot overlooking the strait.

Gazing over the waters toward his homeland he began to eat his meal and marveled at the fact such a great project was finally coming to completion. He began to think of the millions of people who will cross for business or pleasure, and the countless tons of cargo that they could now quickly shuttle back and forth seamlessly by rail. They had done it, the futures of their railroads were looking ever so bright indeed.

Slipping his pocket watch from his vest he held it for a moment before flipping the lid open, it seemed fitting to wear today as it was a gift from his grandfather who had been a conductor his whole life on the SNCC lines, 'Hope you're watching grampa!' Having checked his watch, there was a little under two hours before the 'who's who' of officials and various leaders would arrive to mark this grand occasion and the first official train would make its crossing.

Kleinalst had been waiting for this day for many years. Their research and their development of the railway tunnel had been exhaustive on him personally, but he'd reap the rewards of his efforts in the months to come after the completion and would find great rest in the profit. His research associate, Kincaid, and he were both considered pioneers of Kaschovian and Ceretian trade by now and were renowned for the work in their industry.

Kleinalst liked to be alone before large announcements and ceremonies like this, so he sat isolated from the rest of his promotional team making sure everything he was going to say made sense. It did. Usually. Not long now before the announcement and ceremony began.