Fae Exploratory TunnelWork is under way to build the 2,215 m-long Fae exploratory tunnel, which forms part of the widening and improvement of road SS 43 in Non Valley between Mostizzolo and Cles, in Trento province, northern Italy. Curves spreading out on a few kilometres slow down the traffic, causing traffic snarls especially during the peak tourist season, damaging the quality of life of local residents in the areas. The exploratory tunnel is bored between Dres municipality and Mostizzolo bridge, under Vergondola and Fae mounts. The contract has been awarded to Strabag for EUR5,365,766.34. The project designer and work manager is Geoingegneria Studio Tecnico based in Trento. Visit www.bauholding.at and www.strabag.itAn Atlas Copco TBM MK15 commenced its job on 20th April, 2005 but work was stopped on 5th May after 258 metres had been completed, having met poorly cohesive alluvial material (deposits and gravels of fluvioglacial origin). The average advance speed before work was held up was 20-23 metres a day, with peaks of 30 m/day.Ground surveying was then carried out, both from inside the tunnel (drilling ahead of the face) and above it (10 core drills to take samples to the depth of 60 m) along with four geophysical investigations. This permitted to find out a trough towards the valley, 100 m in length, filled with fluvioglacial material. Therefore, the TBM was partially dismantled, extracted from the tunnel and reassembled. The pilot tunnel was filled with concrete. At the end of July, the TBM has recommenced work on a new alignment more central through the hills. Before work interruption, it was scheduled to end tunnelling of the pilot bore in September but in mid-September, 800 m had been excavated (maximum of 45 m/day) so that it is hoped tunnelling will finish at the end of the year.The Atlas Copco TBM MK15 is 5 m in diameter, 12 m long and weighs 500 t. The back-up is 90 m long. The cutterhead bears 36 disc cutters. The maximum thrust is 800 t. The installed power is 1,200 kW while the total power at the cutterhead is 800 kW. The cutterhead has been reconditioned at Strabag's workshop in Spittal/Drau, Austria. The rock is hauled outside by a conveyor belt which is automatically extended as the TBM progresses thanks to a 200 m belt reserve. This conveyor has been fabricated by H+E and was previously used on contract 2 of Line B of the Toulouse metro. The rock is reinforced with Atlas Copco's Swellex bolts, welded mesh, steel arches (Tunnel SpA) and shotcrete (Aliva). Visit www.atlascopco.com and www.swellex.comThe geology consists of dolomites (0-300 m), vulcanite (300-1,470 m), Raibl dolomites (1,470-1,710 m), dolomites (1,710-1,940 m) and red scale (1.940-2.200 m). Click it/98. 43/05.