The Great Escape: 30 years later, tunnels under Berlin Wall open to the public

Marking the 30th anniversary of the Berlin Wall coming down, a symbol that long-represented the stark divide with communist-led East Germany, a newly discovered escape tunnel was opened to the public in November 2019. One of more than 70 similar tunnels, it ran approximately five metres underneath the 156.4 km Berlin Wall. The 80 metre tunnel was first discovered by East German officials using ultrasound tracking technology, who halted its construction just days before it was fully completed. 

The original tunnel builders chose the location because of the high clay-content of the soil. And one of those builders was Ulrich Pfeifer, a civil engineer who applied engineering calculations and developed maps for its construction. 

As a sub-discipline of civil engineering, structural engineers today design structures such as bridges, towers, pipelines, tunnels, aircraft, ships and commercial buildings. Working in concert with other professionals, such as architects and contractors on construction projects, their role involves structural analysis of the elements of force and resistance that need to be factored into a building’s construction (such as materials and dimensions). 

The complexity of this profession requires careful oversight and examination to ensure that best practices are being followed. That’s why APEGA is proud to certify engineers working in Alberta — to ensure that the highest professional standards are met on every job, no matter how big or small, so that it is safe and secure for the public. 

Learn more about the tunnels discovered under the Berlin Wall.