New TBM Record at AmstegAt end February, 2004 about 25% of all the 153 km of shafts, cross passages and tunnels have already been excavated at the Alptransit Gotthard tunnel in Switzerland.At Amsteg, the TBM in the west tunnel reached a new record with a daily advance of 32.4 m. In the east tunnel, Herrenknecht's TBM S-229 has now bored 1,963 m at 5th March, 2004. It is presently in the Intschi zone, where squeezing rocks prevail, and at an average daily advance rate of 5.5 m has passed through two short fault zones. In the west tunnel, TBM S-230 has already cut 1,004 m. The current average daily rate of advance in granite is 11 m.At Sedrun, in Shaft II, following technical testing of the heavy-duty hoisting gear by the inspection authorities, first vertical transportations have already taken place. Despite snowfalls and very low temperatures, work on the spoil processing sites (Val da Claus, Val Bugnei) has continued. On 5th March, 2004 progress reached 611 m on the north side tunnel and 389 m on the south side tunnel. The east tunnel has been excavated 330 m northwards from the multifunctional cavern and 518 m southwards.At Bodio, driveage in both the east and west tunnels is currently encountering favourable rock. The average daily progress last month was 13 m in the east tunnel and 18 m in the west tunnel. The difference in progress is due to a geologically faulted zone in the east tunnel which had to be cut through in the first two weeks of February. As a result of the different advance figures, the east drive was overtaken by the west drive.At Faido, excavation of the multifunction station is progressing well. Excavation of the east tunnel towards the south and the parallel west tunnel to the north are continuing on schedule in good geological conditions. Support with steel arches was not required. The west tunnel drive towards the north, as well as the east tunnel, are still in the area of the fault zone in squeezing and unstable rock. Click ch/17, ch/19, ch/20, ch/21 & ch/22. Visit www.alptransit.ch 12/04.