New tunnel boring machine for the Gotthard ready for production
On Monday, July 8, Implenia and Frutiger, as partners in the secondo tubo consortium for Lot 241, the main north tunnel of the 2nd tube of the Gotthard road tunnel, formally accepted the new tunnel boring machine from the manufacturer Herrenknecht AG in Schwanau (Germany).
The tunnel boring machine (TBM) has impressive key data:
Cutter head diameter: 12.30 m
Length: 120 m
Weight: 1850 t
Maximum driving force: 95,000 kN
Drone image of the TBM
Now, following successful factory acceptance, the tunnel boring machine will be expertly dismantled into its individual parts and transported to Göschenen in Switzerland for assembly. Assembly will then begin on site so that the planned excavation of around 7 km can begin in February 2025.
Daniel Spörri, Head of Tunnel Construction Implenia Switzerland, on the occasion of the successful acceptance of the work: "The second tube of the Gotthard road tunnel will enable the existing tube to undergo a comprehensive renovation from 2030 and will contribute to improving road safety on the busy north-south axis in the long term. We are pleased to be able to make a valuable contribution to ensuring mobility for future generations with our proven team and our many years of expertise."
