Scheibengipfel Tunnel – Breakthrough at the South Portal

The breakthrough of the Scheibengipfel Tunnel for the Reutlingen bypass has been accomplished. On January 27, 2014 a Max Bögl excavator broke through the last partition wall at the south portal with its ripper bucket. The 1620 m long section was driven by drill+blast in some 15 months, after trenchless operations commenced at the north portal on October 11, 2012.

The geology saw those involved presented by a number of challenges, first and foremost on account of the presence of methane gas and harder rock layers. However, work has up till now forged ahead successfully and safely. Altogether so...