On 17.11.2014 the TBM completed the 12,878 m emergency tunnel parallel to the existing Frejus tunnel (T4) and arrived at Bardonecchia, Italy, where it will be dismantled during the next three months.

Originally, the emergency tunnel was designed with 5 m-diameter and only for emergency services. However, by building a larger tunnel (8 m ID, 9 m OD) for motor vehicle traffic, better ventilation management is possible and fire emergencies response improved.

The two tunnels will be connected by 34 emergency shelters, spaced at 367 m intervals, and ten technical substations at 1,430 m intervals, and nine crosspassages at 1,288 m intervals.

The Italian contract (Lot 2) involved the km 6+495 - km 12+848 section, with TBM excavation of the tunnel from two adits. The first 650 m were excavated by drill/blast, with bolts and shotcrete support.

From France towards Italy, after the conclusion of Lot 1 (km 0 - km 6+495), the hard rock TBM drove on to km 12+785; the remaining metres (km 12+848 – km 12+785) from Italy towards France were excavated traditionally.

Work on the EUR204.7 million contract on the Italian side, started on 01.07.2013.

The emergency shelters, the motor vehicles by-passes, and the technical substations will be built in the next two years. The remaining buildings, ventilation, lighting, fire-fighting and management equipment will be completed before April, 2019, when the tunnel will be opened. For further information on the project click here. Click here, here and here, fr/47 e it/166 for tunnelbuilder archive. Visit http://www.sitaftunnelfrejus.it. 47/14.