The start of construction of Deutsche Bahn’s Pfaffensteig Tunnel was marked yesterday, with an excavator making the ceremonial “first bite”.
The 11km-long tunnel will connect the Stuttgart Airport long-distance station with the existing Gäubahn line.
The project is divided into two project approval sections. The first comprises the construction of the approximately main tunnel, of which 9.8km will be excavated using two TBMs.
The undercrossing of the A8 motorway and of the new railway line, including the connection to the underground long-distance railway station at Stuttgart Airport, will be carried out using conventional techniques.
The second section includes a tunnel section of around 240m constructed using cut-and-cover.
The connecting pipe for the Pfaffensteig Tunnel has already been built in Stuttgart Airport’s long-distance train station, and the switch connection and the first few metres of track are also in place.
The Pfaffensteig Tunnel is being delivered under a rail partnership model by Deutsche Bahn and Allianz Gäubahnausbau Nord comprising Strabag, Züblin, Wayss & Freytag, Rhomberg Bahntechnik, FCP (Fritsch, Chiari & Partner ZT GmbH), Geoconsult, Hörmann, iC-Consulenten, Spitzke and Swietelsky.
