TBM Virginia has reached the Brenner
03-31-2023
On the 30th of March, after 4 years and 14 km, the TBM Virginia has reached the Brenner and this represents a very important milestone. After the TBM “Serena”, which in November 2021 reached the Brenner through the exploratory tunnel, the Brenner Base Tunnel works reach the Italian-Austrian border for the second time.
And what about the other TBM digging on the Italian side of the BBT project? TBM Flavia – which is digging the western main tunnel in the Mules 2-3 construction site – is expected to complete its works and reach the Brenner very soon.
The TBM, known as Virginia, travelled approximately 14,000 meters while installing 56.800 prefab tubbing rings in the eastern main tunnel.
Virginia, which is approximately 200 meters long, started from the assembly chamber and headed towards the Brenner Pass. Achieving this goal means that a significant part of the first main tunnel, where trains will run in the future, has been completed.
The highlight was a live broadcast for the participants, who were able to watch the installation of the last prefab tubbing ring. This took place at 12.35. For the occasion, the TBM operators dyed the last prefab tubbing ring with the Austrian and Italian national colors. Afterwards, the tunnel boring machine was stopped, and the achievement of the final position was enthusiastically applauded by the participants.
Virginia, the TBM that marks a record
The 'H61 Mules 2-3' construction lot is the largest lot of the entire Brenner Base Tunnel project and comprises a tunnel system of approximately 65 km.
During its journey within this lot, which started on 22nd May 2019, the Virginia TBM excavated a daily average of 10.2 meters, with a maximum of 40.5 meters in one day (February, 16th 2020).
Virginia has a total weight of 2750 tonnes - equivalent to about eight fully loaded Boeing 747 aircraft - and an engine power of 4200 kW - comparable to 17 Formula 1 cars.
The real record, for which Virginia set itself apart from all other existing machines of comparable boring head diameter (10.71 meters), was set in March 2021. In one month, Virginia excavated an impressive 859.50 meters.
