First TBM launched for Koralm rail tunnel
07 Feb 2013
Aker Wirth News Realease
- The first of two Aker Wirth 9.93m diameter telescopic shield TBMs has begun excavation of the south line of the Koralm rail tunnel in Austria. In December 2012 the final functionality tests were carried out for the first TBM in the south line of the construction lot KAT2; in January, it was put into operation by Austrian contractor Strabag. The second TBM will begin tunnelling in the north tube next month (March 2013).
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9.93m diameter Aker Wirth launches at Koralm
- The two machines will be deployed for the 18km main section of the 32.9km long Koralm rail tunnel which is part of the new major high-speed train route between Graz and Klagenfurt in Austria.
- Access to the underground construction work areas is a particular challenge. The main components of the machine were transported to the assembly cavern via a 60m deep shaft and subsequently reassembled there. The challenges involved in the underground assembly were successfully mastered thanks to the combined efforts of the client's specialist personnel from the KAT2 JV, comprising Strabag AG and Jäger Bau, together with hard rock TBM specialist manufacturer Aker Wirth employees.
- The Koralm tunnel is an integral part of a new high-speed rail route between Graz and Klagenfurt that is being constructed for Austrian railway operator ÖBB. Once complete the 130km link, which is part of the Baltic-Adriatic Axis from Eastern Europe to Northern Italy via Austria, will reduce travel times by half. The tunnel features parallel single-track tunnel tubes and when complete will be one of the longest rail tunnels in the world.
- Construction of the Koralm tunnel began in 2008, with launch of the first of the two Aker Wirth machines marking the beginning of TBM operations.
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First TBM delivered for 18km Alpine drive - TunnelTalk, September 2012
Strabag selects Aker Wirth machines for Koralm - TunnelTalk, May 2011
Tunnelling starts for Austria's longest rail link - TunnelTalk, July 2011
Strabag maintains its underground edge - TunnelTalk, May 2012
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