A consortium of Implenia, Hochtief and Thyssen Schachtbau made the breakthrough on the Gloggnitz Track 1 / Göstritz Ost Track 1 on September 12. The group is responsible for the construction of Lot 1.1 of the Gloggnitz Tunnel, the approximately 7.4km-long north-eastern section. The breakthrough means one track of the 27.3km-long Semmering Base Tunnel is now passable.
In a LinkedIn post, Implenia said the tunnelling work was carried out in extremely changeable geology under the most difficult geotechnical conditions with large water inflows and pressures of up to 20 bar, as well as radial deformations of up to 2m.
The Semmering Base Tunnel, being built from five locations, with 14 drives, for the Austrian Federal Railway. The twin-tube railway tunnel between Gloggnitz and Mürzzuschlag will link the two federal states of Lower Austria and Styria. It is due to open in 2030.
In June, Porr Group and Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group were awarded the fit-out works for the tunnel. The €176m contract includes telecommunications, electrical equipment with high-voltage systems, distribution boards, lighting, and air-conditioning.
