By rosebell
In order to completing tunneling on the first of two tunnels, TBM Debohra, operated by the Arge U2/17-21 consortium comprising Strabag and Porr, has broken through at the Augustinplatz emergency exit. The location of commencing the 2km drive by this TBM was on track 2 from Matzleinsdorfer Platz in autumn last year.
The date of starting second tunnel drive will be this autumn and for this, parts of the TBM will be lifted out of the ground and returned to Matzleinsdorfer Platz, while the trailing gear of the TBM will be pulled back through the tunnel to the launch site.
The U2xU5 project involves the construction of the U5 line and the extension of the U2 line to the south.
At the end of 2020 the contract for the first construction phase was granted to the U2/17-21 consortium by Wiener Linien and they started construction in 2021. The contract includes the construction of the tunnels and four stations –Matzleinsdorfer Platz, Reinprechtsdorfer Straße, Pilgramgasse and Neubaugasse – for the U2 line.
With 127m length and 1,300 tonnes weight, TBM Debohra was manufactured by Herrenknecht
According to Gerhard Urschitz, head of the Strabag’s tunnelling division:” A breakthrough always marks a decisive milestone for us in tunneling – especially in a major urban project of this complexity. It symbolises what we can achieve by joining forces: creating sustainable infrastructure that will improve mobility in Vienna in the long term. We are very proud to have achieved this success; it is a team effort at the highest level.”
