Herrenknecht TBM to Build Martignano Tunnel in South TyrolA Herrenknecht hard rock single shield TBM is arriving in pieces in Trento province, Italy to drive a twin tunnel on the 4 km Martignano bypass. The 2 x 3.1 km-long tunnel will connect national road SS 47 in Valsugana valley with north Trento, from Ponte Alto to Melta di Gardolo. 2 x 2.8 km will be bored in rock and 2 x 300 m in cut-and-cover. Each tube will accommodate two lanes. The TBM will start its job in Valle del Maso Jobstreibitzer, driving upwards the first tunnel. Once the first bore is complete, the machine will be taken back to north to start the second tube. The excavated material will be recycled and reused for local road building. The Trento autonomous province is responsible for work management. The bypass tunnel will be built by Toto Costruzioni Generali and equipped by Elef. Visit www.elef.itWorkshop acceptance of the machine took place at the Herrenknecht plant in Schwanau, Germany on 9th September, 2003. Excavation is scheduled to start shortly before Christmas or in early 2004. The 128 m-long machine features a cutterhead diameter of 12,110 mm and weighs 1,950 tons. The cutterhead power is 3600 kW, nominal torque is 13.3 kNm, maximum torque is 18.7 kNm. The TBM is equipped with 19 double cylinders and has a nominal thrust capability of 70,600 kN. The cutterhead rotation speed range is 0-4.5 rpm. Click it/54. Visit www.herrenknecht.com 42/03. Delivery ceremony of the Martignano TBM