AKTOR started drilling on the Homorod tunnels of the Brasov-Sighisoara railway

AKTOR, the constructor of the section, begins the drilling of the northern pair of tunnels, called Homorod, with a length of 5.1 km each, by starting the third tunnel boring machine (TBM) in place, in a location just 4 km west from Racoș. Last week, Alexandra started the works for piercing this second pair of tunnels in the mountains around Racoș. At this moment, TBM 3, Alexandra, is already partially inside the mountain.

The tunnels are on the thread of the future Brasov-Simeria railway line, part of the Rhine-Danube Corridor, Brasov-Sighisoara section, subsection 2: Apața-Cața. The project is co-financed by the European Union, and the contract was signed by the National Railway Company (CFR SA) with the consortium of AKTOR SA – Alstom Transport SA – Arcada Company.

“We are proud to mark this significant milestone in this critical part of the Brasov-Sighisoara railway project. This progress underscores our commitment to delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure projects that enhance connectivity across Romania and the wider European region. By utilizing advanced technologies such as Tunnel Boring Machines, we are increasing the efficiency and safety and minimize the external impact. These tunnels will play a crucial role in strengthening the Rhine-Danube Corridor, contributing to the region’s sustainable growth and mobility for generations to come”, Alexandros Exarchou, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Aktor Group, stated.

The first two TBMs which are currently drilling the southern tunnel from Racoș on the opposite direction, towards Apața, to create the first pair of tunnels with a length of 6.9 km, are already deep inside the mountain. They already overpassed 1.2 tunnel kilometers: Eleni, which was started in early March, already bore 700 meters and Varvara, started in late May, bore 500 meters.

In the tradition created with the first two TBMs, the third TBM to begin drilling towards Homorod has been baptized Alexandra.

As they progress inside the mountain, the TBMs mount around them pre-cast concrete segments 1.5 meters wide each, like a ring, to create the circular shape of the tunnel.

“The process of installing a TBM and starting the drilling operation is complex and requires detailed planning, preparation, and execution. By using TBMs, we can construct tunnels with greater precision, safety, and environmental consideration than traditional methods allow. This innovative approach to tunnel construction opens new possibilities for developing infrastructure while minimizing the impact on the surrounding area”, explains Sotirios Koropoulis, the Project Director for the Apața-Cața section, Lot 2 construction site.

The tunnels will be connected by galleries: 13 connecting galleries, with a total length of 601 linear meters for the Ormeniș tunnel, respectively 10 connecting galleries, with a total length of 417 linear meters for the Homorod tunnel.

The Ormeniș/Homorod underpasses will each consist of two railway tunnels with one railway line each. The distance between the two bored tunnels will be variable and is planned to be between 30m near the entrance areas and 70m near the high overburden area.

The four tunnels will have an inner diameter of 8.6 meters (an outer diameter of 9.4 meters, due to the concrete lining). The four TBMs used by Aktor have been built by the HERREKNECHT company. A TBM can drill large-scale tunnels with an average of 10-15 meters per day, six days per week, and one day of maintenance.