- The tunnel boring machine “Karpatka” has started work on the double tunnel of more than two kilometers of the future S19 highway between Rzeszów Południe and Babica
The TBM that will excavate the double tunnel of the S19 highway section between Rzeszów Południe and Babica, in Poland, has started boring, reaching one of the most important milestones of the project.
The tunnel boring machine, nicknamed “Karpatka” by the Polish public, has been refurbished to meet the needs of this complex project, which is considered one of the most technologically advanced infrastructure projects in the country. The machine weighs 4,000 tons, is 112 meters long and has a diameter of more than 15 meters.
The tunnel boring machine will work at a maximum depth of 100 meters to construct a 2.2-kilometer double tunnel that will be included in this new 10.3-kilometer stretch of road, which will consist of two lanes and 15 intersections, as well as an additional emergency crossing. In addition, ACCIONA will construct two technical buildings and a tunnel management center to ensure the proper operation of the tunnel and guarantee maximum safety for users.
Among the improvements implemented by the company for the tunnelling phase is an innovative geological prediction tool that allows data to be collected from the tunnel face without the need for drilling.
For ACCIONA, this project represents a major boost to its construction activity in Poland, where it has become, either directly or through its subsidiary Mostostal Warszawa, one of the most prestigious companies specializing in the design and construction of the country’s main roads.