TGV Paris-Strasbourg milestone reached ahead of schedule
12 September 2012TBM Charlotte has reached the west side of the Vosges Mountains, completed excavation for the first tube of the Tunnel de Saverne, two months earlier than planned. The tunnel, which is part of the TGV Paris-Strasboug line, was completed in late June 2012, Herrennecht announced last week.
The French construction consortium Spie Batignolles TPCI Dodin Campenon Bernard is using a TBM from Herrenknecht. The machine began excavation of the nearly 4km long north tube on the eastern side of the Vosges at the launch portal near Ernolsheim lès Saverne in November 2011. Two months ahead of schedule it was able to complete excavation of the first tube on the west side of the Vosges.
"The Tunnel de Saverne is a special challenge," said project manager Stephan Hanusek, Herrenknecht. "The conversion went without a hitch, so the machine was ready again in a few days."
Since the breakthrough of the tunnel, the TBM is being disassembled and the individual components transported back to the launch platform at Ernolsheim lès Saverne. Charlotte is scheduled to begin excavation of the southern tube in October this year.
