FIFTH KILOMETRE FOR OLGA: AUSTRIAN TBM ADVANCES NORTHWARDS

Work continues in the east main tunnel of the “H53 Pfons-Brenner” construction lot, where TBM Olga is steadily advancing towards Innsbruck.

During the night of 29 to 30 March, Olga passed the five-kilometre mark of excavated tunnel, reaching another important stage on its journey. Just over two and a half kilometres now remain to complete its drive.

The TBM started operations in September 2024 together with its “twin” Wilma, which only a few days ago successfully crossed the “Heidi” fault zone. These are particularly significant achievements. Today, just over four kilometres remain to be excavated using mechanical excavation, not only within this construction lot, but across the entire Brenner Base Tunnel project.

Michael Knapp, Project Manager for the H53 Pfons-Brenner lot, comments: “Today, TBM Olga has reached five kilometres of excavation, while Wilma is approaching six. To enable Wilma to pass through the Heidi fault zone, several measures were required, including targeted injections at the cutterhead to stabilise the surrounding rock. These operations were successfully completed. Wilma has now completed 77% of its route, while Olga has surpassed 65%.”

In the Pfons-Brenner lot, in addition to the mechanical excavation of the two main tunnels, drill and blast excavation towards the Brenner Pass is also progressing. Less than 600 metres remain in the east tunnel and less than 500 metres in the west tunnel. Final lining works are also ongoing at the crossover point.

It is not only Olga. The Pfons-Brenner lot, the largest in the Austrian project area, is currently recording significant progress across different work areas.