Italian construction firm Webuild has announced the start of operation of a tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the Salerno-Reggio Calabria high-speed rail line in Italy.
The TBM machine, dubbed Partenope, is said to be the largest in Europe and the first to operate on the line, beginning the excavation of the Saginara Tunnel on Lot 1A Battipaglia–Romagnano.
The project is led by a Webuild consortium on behalf of RFI (Gruppo FS Italiane).
Lot 1A, awarded to the Xenia Consortium led by Webuild, covers 35km of high-speed rail between Battipaglia and Romagnano in Salerno.
Part of the Salerno–Reggio Calabria project, it includes 20 tunnels, 19 viaducts, and a junction at Romagnano.
Recently, the construction company launched its TBM CREC 1418 for the Saginara Tunnel.
Partenope measures 130m in length and weighs 4,000 tonnes. With a 13.46m diameter cutting head, it is said to be the largest TBM ever used by Webuild in Italy and Europe.
Powered by 18 electric motors, it generates a total output of 10MW.
The TBM will begin its journey through the Sele Valley, excavating the 3km Saginara Tunnel 24/7. This single-bore, double-track tunnel spans between Campagna and Contursi Terme in Salerno.
Webuild said the eco-friendly machine will be operated and maintained by over 100 specialised technicians.
On Lot 1A Battipaglia–Romagnano of the Salerno–Reggio Calabria high-speed rail line, four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will soon excavate eight tunnels along the route. Three of these are said to be among the largest ever used by Webuild in Italy and Europe.
In addition to Partenope, two massive twin machines, each with a cutting head over 13m in diameter, are being assembled.
One will excavate the Serra Lunga, Acerra, and Petrolla double-track tunnels, while the other will handle the Caterina and Sicignano double-track tunnels.
According to the construction firm, the final modules of a fourth TBM will arrive on-site to excavate the single-track Piano Grassi and Contursi tunnels in the coming weeks.
Previously used for the Grand Paris Express in France, this TBM was fully refurbished at Webuild’s new industrial hub in Terni. The facility, established last year, specialises in the regeneration of TBMs and other heavy machinery.
Webuild operates around 60 TBMs, with 40 deployed in Italy. In Southern Italy, 30 TBMs are being used across 19 projects, adding over 300km of high-speed rail.
Italian construction firm Webuild has started Europe’s largest tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the Salerno-Reggio Calabria high-speed rail line in Italy.
This TBM machine, dubbed Partenope, is the first to operate on the line, beginning the excavation of the Saginara Tunnel on Lot 1A Battipaglia–Romagnano.
The project is led by a Webuild consortium on behalf of RFI (Gruppo FS Italiane).
Lot 1A, awarded to the Xenia Consortium led by Webuild, covers 35km of high-speed rail between Battipaglia and Romagnano in Salerno.
Part of the Salerno–Reggio Calabria project, it includes 20 tunnels, 19 viaducts, and a junction at Romagnano.
Recently, the construction company launched its TBM CREC 1418 for the Saginara Tunnel.
Partenope measures 130m in length and weighs 4,000 tonnes. With a 13.46m diameter cutting head, it is said to be the largest TBM ever used by Webuild in Italy and Europe.
Powered by 18 electric motors, it generates a total output of 10MW.
The TBM will begin its journey through the Sele Valley, excavating the 3km Saginara Tunnel 24/7. This single-bore, double-track tunnel spans between Campagna and Contursi Terme in Salerno.
Webuild said the eco-friendly machine will be operated and maintained by over 100 specialised technicians.
On Lot 1A Battipaglia–Romagnano of the Salerno–Reggio Calabria high-speed rail line, four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will soon excavate eight tunnels along the route. Three of these are said to be among the largest ever used by Webuild in Italy and Europe.
In addition to Partenope, two massive twin machines, each with a cutting head over 13m in diameter, are being assembled.
One will excavate the Serra Lunga, Acerra, and Petrolla double-track tunnels, while the other will handle the Caterina and Sicignano double-track tunnels.
According to the construction firm, the final modules of a fourth TBM will arrive on site to excavate the single-track Piano Grassi and Contursi tunnels in the coming weeks.
Previously used for the Grand Paris Express in France, this TBM was fully refurbished at Webuild’s new industrial hub in Terni. The facility, established last year, specialises in the regeneration of TBMs and other heavy machinery.
Webuild operates around 60 TBMs, with 40 deployed in Italy. In Southern Italy, 30 TBMs are being used across 19 projects, adding over 300km of high-speed rail.
