Mammoth Genoa underground motorway agreed A memorandum of understanding was signed in Genoa on 08.02.2010 for the construction of a 23 km underground motorway, including the Gronda di Ponente and the Rapallo-Santa Margherita Ligure tunnel. The public debate last year considered five alternative routes and revealed a new solution, which reduces the environmental impact. The alignment passes through a geological succession including asbestos. Drill/blast and hydraulic hammers will be used in every tunnel east to Val Polcevera crossing, those belonging to San Benigno junction, Voltri tunnel, and tunnels on A26 connection; mechanized excavation with Hydroshield/EPB TBM will be used for the remaining tunnels, west of Val Polcevera, and in the asbestos zone. Click here for the details. The No 2 alignment became the preliminary design. See the SPEA Autostrade report. Planned investment is EUR3.1 billion. 08/10.