On 21.07.2016 French Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, launched the  NFM, TBM named Federica, at Saint Martin la Porte. The 2400 t TBM will drive a 9 km survey tunnel towards Italy  for the new railway line from Lyon to Turin. For the first time two TBMs will be working on the project at the same time.  TBM Gea has already driven 5500 m from the Chiomonte site in Italy.

The Saint-Martin-La-Porte works, which have cost about EUR391 million are 50% funded by UE, 25% France and 25% Italy. The cost for the 57.5 km cross-border tunnel between Italy and France, certified by Tractebel Engineering – Tuc Rail,  will be in the region of EUR8.6 billion.

Italy and France, thanks to the Grant Agreement signed in December, will benefit from a 41.08% European contribution, for the works to be implemented by 2019. For further information read the press release and click here, fr/11 and it/80 the tunnelbuilder archive information. Also visit http://www.ltf-sas.com/accueil-italien/. 29/16.