Germany

First Tunnel Boring Machine approved for Rastatt Tunnel

The first of two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) for the Rastatt Tunnel by manufacturer Herrenknecht was approved by the customer, the Tunnel Rastatt JV, on December 8, 2015 at the factory in Schwanau. The two mix-shields will each tackle a bore of the twin-tube tunnel completing them in carcass state. The rail tunnel is part of the new/upgraded Karlsruhe–Basle rail link.

The 93 m long mix-shield S-953 with a weight of 2300 t, a shield diameter of 10.94 m and a cutting wheel output of 1820 kW is now being dismantled and transported to the access pit at Ötigheim. Once reassembled, the machine will...

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