The TBM, which will be used to drive the Cefalù twin-tube tunnel (7 km), for the project to double and speed up the Palermo - Messina railway line, has arrived at the Termini Imerese port (Sicily) after travelling across the sea for one month.

The 140-m-long TBM, with a total weight of 2200 t and a power of over 5600 kW, was built in CREG's factories in only 10 months.  The complex operation to prepare and assemble the TBM has already begun with the help of impressive lifting equipment.   The TBM will be launched at the beginning of December once it has finished assembly. It will be able to tunnel 14 m a day and will be assisted by a team of 100 people, including those working underground and on the surface.  The project will be 17 km long and is within the Palermo province crossing the Cefalù and Pollina municipalities. 

In addition to the construction of the twin-tube Cefalù tunnel, the project also includes the construction of the single-tube and double-track Sant'Ambrogio tunnel  (4 km long) and of the 180 m Malpertugio one,both excavated by the traditional method. There will also be built a new underground stop below Cefalù and the two viaducts connecting the tunnels.  

The EUR380 million contract was awarded by RFI to the Joint Venture Toto SpA, Italiana Costruzioni SpA, Armafer Srl, ESIM Srl and Alpitel SpA.  

The doubling of the line in the Cefalù area will improve rail traffic in terms of speed and quality, in an area that is strategic for both tourism and production activities. The completion date is set for April 2024.  For further information from the tunnelbuilder archive click here and it/36. Visit https://totospa.it/. 30/21.