Brenner Base Tunnel

Where possible, tunnel sections are blasted or engineered using state-of-the-art, electrically powered full-section tunnel boring machines. The rock is loosened with a rotating boring head, the excavated material is removed right away and the tunnel is immediately secured. Progress can be up to 40 metres per day. The "Wilma" tunnel boring machine (manufactured in Germany) has a bore diameter of 10.37 metres and was transported in countless individual parts in a total of 120 transports to the "H53 Pfons-Brenner" construction lot, where it was to be assembled.

Construction of the hydraulic gantry began on 25 March 2024, roughly four kilometres deep inside the mountain. Assembly of the tunnel boring machine, which was delivered to the assembly cavern in small parts (maximum weight 90 tonnes), commenced on 2 April 2024. The most important components were the main drive including cutting wheel. The greatest challenge lay in untwisting the cutting wheel with a diameter of 10.6 metres, which weighed in at 269 tonnes after assembly. Working with full concentration, this task was completed without incident – as was the untwisting of the 234 tonne drive.