The tunnel boring machine (TBM) Ida has completed three-quarters of its assigned route in the construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel, reaching 14.2km of the western main tunnel.
The machine has also passed through the geological fault zone known as “Werner,” marking a significant milestone in the tunnelling process.
Ida began its journey on 27 June 2023 after an official ceremony. Since then, it has successfully navigated three complex fault zones: “Viggartal,” “Walzn,” and most recently, “Werner.” The machine has now excavated 6km of tunnel and continues to progress southward.
Lot H41 Sill Gorge -Pfons project manager Romed Insam said: “Considering that Ida’s total distance is 8.4km, we can say that she has already covered three quarters of her journey. The complexity of the geological context in which she is moving makes the result even more significant.”
To date, the machine has excavated approximately 510,000m3 of rock and installed around 21,500 precast concrete segments. These segments are produced at the construction site in Ahrental, which has reduced road transport by approximately 27,000 lorry journeys.
The TBM was named by pupils from Navis Primary School in early 2023. The project continues with a focus on both technological progress and sustainability. The tunnel is expected to facilitate future travel through the region.
