By Lynda Myer
In order to advancing the Italian side of the Mont Cenis base tunnel, a contract with €1bn (US$1.08bn) value has been awarded to consortium of Itinera, Spie Batignolles and Ghella by Tunnel Euralpin Lyon-Turin (TELT).
As the final tunneling contract to be awarded for the project, this contract is for the 28.5km of tunneling works between Maddalena di Chiomonte and Susa.
While the time period of this contract is 91-month, two dual-mode TBMs are due to be employed, as well as the two tubes of the base tunnels, which includes the Maddalena 2 tunnel, where the TBMs will be commissioned, connecting tunnels and a cut-and-cover tunnel at the eastern entrance to Susa.
According to TELT general director Maurizio Bufalini: “The contract was a milestone for the Alpine crossing. With this contract, the excavation work on the Mont Cenis base tunnel is also starting in Italy. This result could have not been taken for granted until a few years ago and was achieved thanks to the commitment of the technicians, the support of the Italian and French institutions and social partners, and the great support of Europe.”
Following its completion, the 57.5km Mont Cenis base tunnel, that’s 12.5 km located in Italy and 45km in France, will be one of the longest rail tunnels in the world.
Being located between Susa in Piedmont and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne in Savoy, the cross-border section of the Lyon-Turin line is a 65km long, whereas it is slated to be the central hub of the Mediterranean Corridor, which is one of the nine TEN-T axes connecting seven EU countries from east to west.
Additionally, removing over than one million lorries from alpine roads, the new line will increase rail speeds across the Alps to 220km/hr for passenger services and 120km/hr for freight.
