Sparvo underway on Variante di Valico in ItalyThursday 28.07.2011 saw the launch of the world's largest TBM, the Sparvo machine built by Herrenknecht. Sparvo tunnel (2,564 m northbound, 2,600 m southbound) comprises lots 6-7of the 6.6 km project awarded to the JV Vianini Lavori SpA/Toto Costruzioni Generali Spa/Profacta SpA. The new section of A1, from Badia Nuova (at the end of lot 9) to the inside of Val di Sambro tunnel (beginning of lot 5b) crosses complex geology, for which Toto chose the Herrenknecht EPB equipped to work in loose soils with local presence of gas. TBM advance of 10-11 m/day will be achieved with 24/7 operations. Click here and it/21. Visit www.totospa.it, www.herrenknecht.com, and www.osservatoriovariantedivalico.it. 31/11. The TBM Martina ready to start excavation of Sparvo tunnel