Breakthrough of the tunnel drilling machine: U2 route accepts shapes!

Tunnelbohrmaschine "Debohra" erreicht Meilenstein für neue U2-Strecke in Neubau, Wien, mit Inbetriebnahme 2030 geplant.
Tunnel boring machine "Debohra" reaches milestone for new U2 route in Neubau, Vienna, with commissioning 2030. (Symbolbild/ANAGAT)

Breakthrough of the tunnel drilling machine: U2 route accepts shapes!

Augustinplatz, Wien, Österreich - The Viennese subway is growing: The tunnel boring machine "Debohra" recently achieved an impressive breakthrough and thus completed an important section of the new U2 route. After nine months in action, "Debohra" dug through two kilometers underground and maximized the machine output on Augustinplatz in the seventh district, as the managing director of the Viennese lines, Gudrun Senk, proudly reports. Tunnel construction is an important project for the city that brings numerous challenges and requires technical know-how.

Work started at the end of September 2024. The drill has already reached several milestones, including the first breakthrough on Pilgramgasse, where the U2 will meet the U4. The new tunnel extends over around four kilometers and is carried out underground between Matzleinsdorfer Platz and Augustinplatz. In order to make the work as efficient as possible, 4,200 tübbinge - these are concrete ring segments that form the tunnel walls - were installed, while the excavated earth material is removed via a central shaft on the Matzleinsdorfer Platz, which not only minimizes dust and noise, but also saved up to 75 tons of CO2! The traffic in the area is also significantly relieved during the entire construction period, since 20,000 truck trips are avoided by the city.

technology behind the tunnel construction

tunnel construction is anything but simple and various techniques and technologies are used. Planning, design, excavation and support systems must be combined. The "new Austrian tunnel tree method" (NATM) is often used because it offers a flexible approach to take different soil conditions into account and to react quickly to RRP requirements. This method can minimize difficulties such as grounds, but requires trained personnel and precise coordination.

The advanced drilling techniques that “Debohra” uses include various types of tunnel boring machines (TBMS) that are adapted to the respective soil types. This not only makes the work safer for the workers, but also ensures lower disorders in the area. But the importance of planning must also not be underestimated: thanks to modern computer models and geotechnical studies, engineers can determine the optimal route and even identify potential problems in advance.

A look into the future

The U2 extension is not only an infrastructure project, but also a step towards more sustainable urban development. Around 15,000 people will benefit from this new section, the commissioning of which is planned for 2030. The last section to the town hall is excavated with excavators, while "Debohra" will then drive back to Matzleinsdorfer Platz to create the second tunnel tube. The entire process illustrates how important innovative techniques in tunnel construction are and how you can help to make Vienna into a city that is still worth living.

In summary, it can be said that the progress in the tunnel construction is impressive and show that with a good plan and the right technique, the challenges of urban infrastructure can be mastered. Vienna can look forward to an exciting time!

For more information on the construction methods of the U2 route, read more on Wiener lines and learn background to tunnel construction techniques FasterCapital .

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OrtAugustinplatz, Wien, Österreich
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