On 29.07.2013, after only eight months tunnelling, the 15.62-diameter TBM Martina, built by Herrenknecht for Toto Costruzioni Generali, broke through the 2,600 m south tube of Sparvo tunnel, toward Florence on the A1 motorway. The machine advanced through difficult geology at rates up to 400 m/month, 126 m/week and 24 m/day. Tool changing was required every 500 m on advance. The 2,430 m north tube was completed on 27.07.2012. The inauguration of this motorway section, including Val di Sambro and Sparvo tunnels, is expected in 2015. Click here for some photos of the ceremony, here and it/21 for tunnelbuilder archive. 31/13.