At 10:40 AM on Sunday, March 2nd, while Carnival parties were in full swing outside, there was a celebratory atmosphere in the heart of the mountain as well for the excellent progress Wilma is making. The TBM began excavating northwards on Sept. 18th, with her twin sister Olga, a start celebrated by the Austrian, Italian and European institutions and she has passed the "Schmirntal" fault zone, thus reaching her first kilometre mark.
But Wilma isn’t just driving the tunnel; she is also installing the tubbing rings which are the final lining of the tunnel. On the H53 Pfons-Brenner construction site there is no room to produce the tubbing rings directly on-site, as was done in Ahrental. The choice was made to supply the site via rail, thus avoiding the passage of over 45,000 heavy vehicle through the Wipp valley. This was one of the main topics of discussion last Thursday during an event for the media, on the construction site itself.
“Wilma” is the feminine form of Wilhelm, derived from willio (will) and helm (protective helmet). Helga Morandell, who chose the name for the TBM, said “We can see the will and determination with which this important project is being driven forward”. And judging by her progress, it seems that Wilma well deserves her name. Glück Auf!
