Abstract: A new 53.1km high-speed rail tunnel is planned between Lyon, France and Turin, Italy. As two thirds of current freight transport between the two cities is via truck and over roads with 30% grade, the proposed 12% grade will allow for faster, less-polluting, and more energy-efficient freight transport while also accommodating passengers. The project scope has been subdivided into three sections: French, Italian, and a joint Franco-Italian. Since actual construction of the tunnel remains in the distant future, work has begun on the three exploratory tunnels which will serve a future role of allowing maintenance crews access to the finished tunnel. Focus of this article is on the drill and blast work taking place at the Modan and LaPraz access tunnels for the central Franco-Italian section. The project will not be a proving ground for new tunnel-building techniques, but will instead rely on traditional methods.
Publication Year: 2006
Publication Date: 2006-07-01
Language: en
Type: article
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