By rosebell
The new twin-track railway tunnel is being constructed by ARGE Neubau Cornberger Tunnel, comprising BeMo Tunnelling, Subterra, Josef Rädlinger and Stutz. BeMo and Subterra are responsible for the tunnel and specialist foundation works, with Rädlinger and Stutz carrying out earthworks and associated civil and railway works.
DB InfraGO awarded the main VE01 construction package to BeMo Tunnelling in October 2024. The package includes the mined tunnel, two portal structures, approach cuttings, access roads, a rescue area and firefighting water system, as well as cable infrastructure and foundations for signalling and overhead line equipment.
Excavation of the tunnel began from the eastern portal in April using a combination of mechanical excavation with a specialist tunnel excavator and drill-and-blast. The heading has now reached the western portal.
Work will continue with excavation of the bench and invert, with the tunnel supported using steel arches, rock bolts and reinforced shotcrete. A waterproofing membrane will then be installed ahead of construction of the watertight inner concrete lining.
Structural works are scheduled for completion by the end of 2027, with installation of track, signalling, overhead electrification and safety systems to follow during 2028.
The new tunnel is being built immediately south of the existing Cornberg Tunnel, which opened in 1875 and has reached the end of its service life. Extensive structural deterioration means DB considers refurbishment of the historic structure uneconomic.
Around 4km of track and switches around the tunnel and Cornberg station will be rebuilt to connect the new alignment to the existing Frankfurt–Göttingen railway. The realignment also requires modifications around the portals and station area.
Passenger and freight trains are scheduled to begin using the new tunnel by the end of 2028.
The listed existing tunnel will remain in place. DB will remove its track, overhead line and railway equipment before filling the structure with excavated material from the new tunnel, while retaining the historic portals.
The wider project also includes replacement of railway bridges at Cornberg and Bebra-Rautenhausen. The new bridge over the district road at Cornberg will be widened to accommodate three tracks.
Construction of the Cornberg Tunnel is also being used by DB InfraGO as a BIM pilot project, with model-based construction scheduling, progress monitoring and elements of model-based measurement being tested during the works.
