A major milestone has been achieved in one of Europe’s most significant transport infrastructure projects, with the completion of tunnelling on the Italian side of the Brenner Base Tunnel. The final breakthrough was made as the last of three Herrenknecht tunnel boring machines (TBMs) completed its journey beneath.
The Brenner Base Tunnel, overseen by Austrian-Italian joint venture BBT SE, will span 64 kilometers between Innsbruck (Austria) and Franzensfeste (Italy), making it the world’s longest underground railway connection. It forms a central part of the trans-European north-south corridor from Finland to Malta and is designed as a flat, line.
The Italian-Austrian border from the south. This marks the end of excavation for construction lot H61 Mauls with minimal gradients to enhance freight and passenger rail efficiency On the Italian side, a joint venture led by Rebuild, Hella, P.A.C., and Cogues used two Double Shield TBMs (10.65 m diameter) to excavate.
Meanwhile, on the Austrian side, four Herrenknecht TBMs are currently progressing on the main tubes. The Austrian section of the service and rescue tunnel was completed back in 2020 using a similar machine 14.3 kilometers of the main tubes, successfully navigating high-strength rock and complex fault zones. A third TBM.
Herrenknecht has supplied a total of eight TBMs for the Brenner Base Tunnel, which is a cornerstone project for sustainable rail infrastructure in Europe (6.8 m diameter) completed a parallel service and rescue tunnel beneath the main tubes In a landmark achievement for European infrastructure, tunneling on the Italian section.
The Brenner Base Tunnel is a key component of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), aimed at improving mobility and reducing environmental impact across the continent. Stretching 64 kilometers between Innsbruck in Austria and Fortezza in Italy, the tunnel will become the longest railway tunnel in the world upon.
The Italian side of the BBT has been particularly challenging due to complex geology and environmental regulations. To overcome these challenges, construction teams relied on Herrenknecht advanced tunnel boring technology. Two massive TBMs, each over 200 meters long and weighing around 2,000 tones, were deployed to bore the twin main tubes through the Alpine rock formations. These TBMs were.
The Italian section of the tunnel primarily involved works in the southern segment between Mules and the Austrian border. The successful breakthrough of the TBMs is the result of several years of meticulous planning, engineering excellence, and collaborative effort by construction consortia, engineers, and local authorities.
Herrenknecht TBMs played a pivotal role not only due to their mechanical As Europe pushes for greener, more efficient artery capabilities but also because of their integration of safety, precision, and minimal environmental disruption. The machines operated with high accuracy, enabled by automated guidance systems, real-time data monitoring, and sophisticated ground.
The tunnel alignment crosses sensitive ecosystems and densely fractured rock strata, demanding customized engineering solutions. Herrenknecht designed the TBMs specifically for the geological profiles found along the BBT route. This customization allowed continuous and efficient tunneling with minimal downtime.
With tunneling now completed on the Italian side, attention will turn to finishing interior works such as track laying, ventilation systems, fire protection infrastructure, and control technology. Once operational, the BBT will significantly reduce travel time for freight trains and help shift transport from road to rail, alleviating traffic.
Completion of tunneling with Herrenknecht TBMs underlines the synergy between engineering innovation and sustainable transport development. The success also reinforces Herrenknecht position as a global leader in tunnel boring technology, known for its role in iconic projects such as the Gotthard Base Tunnel, London’s.
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