AKTOR Romania, part of the construction company AKTOR Group, has deployed its fourth tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the Brasov-Sighisoara railway project.
The project is one of the few in Europe to use four TBMs simultaneously, marking a major milestone in modernising Romania’s railway network.
It is part of the vital Rhine-Danube European Corridor.
This project upgrades the Apața – Cața section of the railway line. The newly activated TBM weighs 1,500 tonnes and is 100m long. It joins three previously activated TBMs.
The TBM has started boring through a hillside near Racoș, complementing the work of the third TBM, which has been tunnelling deep into the mountain for three months.
The two newly activated TBMs will create two 5.1km tunnels heading toward Homorod, forming the northern tunnel pair.
On the other hand, the first two TBMs, activated earlier in 2024, continue tunnelling the southern pair, which consists of twin 6.9km tunnels toward Apața.
Each TBM bores 10-15m per day, working six days a week with one day set aside for maintenance.
Brasov-Sighisoara railway project director Sotirios Koropoulis said: “The installation of a TBM and the start of boring are intricate tasks that require careful planning, preparation, and execution.
“TBMs allow for greater precision, safety, and environmental responsibility in tunnel construction compared to traditional methods.
“This approach not only opens up new infrastructure possibilities but also reduces the impact on surrounding areas.”
The Restoration of the Brasov – Simeria Railway Line project, part of the Rhine-Danube Corridor, aims for a maximum speed of 160 km/h.
The Brasov – Sighisoara section, including the Apata – Cata LOT 2 sub-section, has a budget of €573m and is co-financed by the European Union.
This development is said to be AKTOR’s largest ongoing project in Romania. AKTOR Romania is also managing the restoration of two other sub-sections on the same railway line, Brasov – Apața and Cața – Sighisoara, with a combined budget of over €186m.
