Following the completion of tunnelling on line No. 104 on Poland’s Podłęże–Piekiełko railway project, the two TBMs are being prepared for their next drive.
The two Chinese-manufactured machines, Jadwiga and Kinga, completed the 3.8km-long tunnel on the Limanowa–Klęczany section railway project in April.
The 11m-diameter Jadwiga bored under Pisarzowa between the mountain towns of Męcina and Mordarka, while 4.8m-diameter Kinga excavated the parallel evacuation tunnel.
The Budimex and Gülermark consortium has now transported the TBMs to the construction area around Stróża and Wilkowisko where they are being reassembled to begin tunnelling the No. 622 line on the Szczyrzyc–Tymbark section.
TBM Kinga will excavate the 3.9km T9 evacuation tunnel – the longest tunnel on the Podłęże–Piekiełko project. The larger TBM Jadwiga will build the 1.09km T7 railway tunnel before being deployed on the T9 railway tunnel.
“Both machines are currently undergoing a comprehensive process of refurbishment and modernisation. This will make it possible to reuse these specialised devices in the next stages of the project. However, we are transferring not only TBM shields to the new investment, but also proven technological solutions, production facilities and team competences,” said Budimex contract director Krzysztof Kulpa.
The Szczyrzyc–Tymbark section is the first part of the new No. 622 line, which will connect the Szczyrzyc station currently under construction with Tymbark station on the modernised Line 104 between Chabówka and Nowy Sącz.
The approximately 8km section will include two main railway tunnels of around 3.8kmand 1km, two evacuation tunnels, bridges and viaducts, as well as a new Stróża railway stop near Dobra.
Three of the four tunnels will be excavated using TBM technology, while the fourth will be constructed using the traditional mining method.
Once completed, the route will provide a new connection for trains travelling from Kraków towards Limanowa and Nowy Sącz.
The new line is designed for passenger trains to travel at up to 160km/h and freight trains at up to 120km/h.
The Polskie Linie Kolejoweproject is drawing on expertise from across the Budimex Group. Mostostal Kraków has relocated the tunnel segment production to the new site, while a specialist unit is responsible for the power connection to the TBMs, as well as electrical and overhead contact line works. The Budimex Laboratory is conducting material testing for the contract, while Budimex Kolejnictwo will undertake track works at later stages.
