Europe: Crumbling Barriers

As Europe's tariff barriers fall under the impetus of the Common Market, nat ural barriers are also crumbling. Some where under Mont Blanc next fall, French and Italian engineers will com plete the world's longest (7¼ miles) vehicular tunnel, which will cut 194 miles from the 581-mile auto journey from Paris to Milan. Plans are also afoot for a joint Anglo-French tunnel under the English Channel. Last week the tunnel trend continued as France and Spain announced plans to pierce the Pyrenees. Just under two miles long, the proposed tunnel (see map) will lop off 145 miles from the present 385-mile road trip from Toulouse to Saragossa. Construction is scheduled to begin early next year, will take two years. Estimated cost: $28.5 million, of which France will ante up 60%, Spain 40%.