The single shield TBM S-1384, named Paulina, has a diameter of 12.39m, is 102m long and weighs approximately 2,500 tons. The cutterhead is powered by 16 electric motors, delivering a combined output of 5,600kW or 7,600 horsepower.
The TBM will be deployed by the consortium of Marti Tunnel, Mancini & Marti, and Ennio Ferrari SA on Main Lot 341, to build the 7.75km-long southern tunnel section.
The machine has been designed to drive through the hard rock of the Alps, where granite, gneiss and slate are expected.
Excavation of the southern access tunnel with a 7.4m-diameter Herrenknecht single shield TBM was completed in August last year.
The new Gotthard Tunnel will supplement the existing 16.9km tunnel between Göschenen in the Swiss canton of Uri and Airolo in the canton of Ticino. The 45-year-old tunnel needs repair so the Swiss Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) has commissioned the construction of a second, parallel tube to ensure that traffic can continue to flow during the renovation and closure of the tunnel. Once work on both tubes has been completed, one tunnel with one lane (plus emergency lane) will be available for southbound and one for northbound traffic.
Around 16,000 vehicles use the Gotthard road tunnel every day.
