On 01.03.2010 drill/blast excavation commenced at the 3.17 km-long Monte Tratturale tunnel on the San Severo-Apricena-Sannicandro Garganico railway section in Foggia province managed by Ferrovie del Gargano. The JV Consorzio Cooperative Costruzioni and Strabag AG originally secured the contract in 2005 (it/93). The company Tunnelling (Naples) is the appointed subcontractor. The geology is fractured limestone. The oval-section tunnel will be lined with segments, bolts and fibre-reinforced shotcrete. The final lining will be 60 cm-thick unreinforced concrete with admixed glass fibre and polypropylene. A smoke extraction shaft will be installed for emergency use. Current advance is from the San Nicandro end, with work starting at the second portal, near Apricena, in June. The tunnel will be completed by end-2012, and commissioned in 2014. Visit www.ferroviedelgargano.it, www.ccc-acam.it and www.strabag.de. 15/10. Work inside Monte Tratturale railway tunnel