Geomechanics.io

  • Free Tools
Sign UpLog In
AllGeotechnicalMiningInfrastructureMaterialsHazardsEnvironmentalSoftwarePolicy

Geomechanics.io

Geomechanics, Streamlined.

© 2026 Geomechanics.io. All rights reserved.

Geomechanics.io

CMRR-ioGEODB-ioHYDROGEO-ioQCDB-ioFree Tools & CalculatorsBlogLatest Industry News

Industries

MiningConstructionTunnelling

Company

Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyLinkedIn
    Projects
    Product

    Lilia and Ida breakthrough on Brenner Base Tunnel: delivery and design notes for engineers

    December 4, 2025|

    Reviewed by Joe Ashwell

    Lilia and Ida breakthrough on Brenner Base Tunnel: delivery and design notes for engineers

    First reported on Tunnelling Journal – News

    30 Second Briefing

    Breakthrough of Herrenknecht Single Shield TBMs “Lilia” and “Ida” in Brenner Base Tunnel section H41 Sill Gorge–Pfons marks completion of two 10.25 m diameter, 4,550 kW drives totalling over 16.5 km of twin main tunnels excavated and segmentally lined since mid‑2023. The 2,400‑tonne, 160 m long machines, operated by ARGE H41 (Implenia, Webuild, CSC), bring Herrenknecht’s driven length under the Brenner towards 90 km, with two 10.33 m Double Shield TBMs still advancing on lot H53. Herrenknecht is also supplying segment formwork systems, VMT navigation and ring sequencing, and multi‑kilometre H+E conveyor belts, consolidating a full-process mechanised delivery model.

    Technical Brief

    • All advance has been segmentally lined with precast concrete, implying immediate ring build and minimal exposed face length.
    • Herrenknecht’s scope includes Herrenknecht Formwork for segment production, integrating TBM ring geometry with casting operations.
    • VMT GmbH navigation and ring sequencing systems manage guidance and ring build order over multi‑kilometre drives.
    • H+E GmbH conveyor belts, several kilometres long, provide continuous muck haulage, reducing reliance on diesel truck logistics.

    Our Take

    Implenia’s role on both the Brenner Base Tunnel and Norway’s Sandbukta–Moss–Såstad double-track (via the MossIA JV in our related coverage) signals that its underground and rail portfolio is now spread across key north–south European freight and passenger corridors, which may help it leverage lessons learned on logistics and risk allocation between alpine and Nordic ground conditions.

    With eight Herrenknecht TBMs deployed on Brenner and a further six ordered by TELT for the 70 km Mont Cenis Base Tunnel, Herrenknecht is effectively embedded across the two flagship Alpine base tunnels, which likely gives it strong influence over standardisation of lining systems, guidance tech (via VMT), and maintenance regimes for long transalpine rail drives.

    The combination of large-diameter (around 10 m) Single and Double Shield TBMs on Brenner, plus similar-scale machines on Mont Cenis, suggests that contractors such as Webuild and Implenia are consolidating around mechanised excavation for long European base tunnels, reducing reliance on drill-and-blast and potentially tightening the market for high-capacity TBM crews and specialised support suppliers in the Alps region.

    Geotechnical Software for Modern Teams

    Centralise site data, logs, and lab results with GEODB-io, CMRR-io, and HYDROGEO-io.

    No credit card required.

    • Save and export unlimited calculations
    • Advanced data visualisation
    • Generate professional PDF reports
    • Cloud storage for all your projects

    Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.

    Related Articles

    Implenia/Marti JV MehrSpur Zurich–Winterthur: design and risk notes for engineers
    Infrastructure
    in 6 months

    Implenia/Marti JV MehrSpur Zurich–Winterthur: design and risk notes for engineers

    Swiss Federal Railways has awarded an Implenia/Marti 50:50 joint venture five of six MehrSpur Zurich–Winterthur lots worth just under CHF 1.7 billion, including the 8.3 km Brüttener tunnel (Lot 240) with twin 10 m diameter single-track tubes and a 1 km spur to Zurich Airport. TBM excavation will start in August 2029, with a roughly ten-year construction phase using BIM for planning and execution and extensive special foundations, earthworks and embankments. Additional works cover full redevelopment of Dietlikon station, about 6 km of new track across Dietlikon and Wallisellen sections, multiple underpasses, bridges and the Neumühle railway bridge and Storchen underpass near Winterthur.

    Xihe on Tung Chung Line down-track: TBM turnback method and risks for tunnel engineers
    Infrastructure
    in 4 months

    Xihe on Tung Chung Line down-track: TBM turnback method and risks for tunnel engineers

    TBM Xihe, a 7.3m-diameter, 100m-long, 1,000-tonne Herrenknecht slurry machine, has completed the up-track drive to the future Tung Chung West Station and has begun boring the down-track tunnel towards Tung Chung Station for MTR’s Tung Chung Line Extension in Hong Kong. The Bouygues Travaux Publics–Dragages Hong Kong JV turned the TBM underground within the launch shaft using a push-pull method and self-propelled modular transporter, avoiding full disassembly and surface transport. About 1.3km of new twin-bore tunnels are being driven close to existing rail and urban structures, with commissioning targeted for 2029.

    Sydney Metro Stations Package West: design and delivery notes for engineers
    Infrastructure
    in 3 months

    Sydney Metro Stations Package West: design and delivery notes for engineers

    Gamuda Engineering has secured the Sydney Metro Stations Package West as principal contractor, covering design and construction of five new underground stations at Westmead, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock and The Bays on the 24km Sydney Metro West line between Greater Parramatta and the CBD. The scope includes deep station boxes, entrances and access points, full station fit-out and integration with surrounding precincts, with Laing O’Rourke and DT Infrastructure joining as MetroVista delivery partners. Site works are scheduled to start on Monday, 5 January 2026.

    Related Industries & Products

    Tunnelling

    Specialised solutions for tunnelling projects including grout mix design, hydrogeological analysis, and quality control.

    Mining

    Geotechnical software solutions for mining operations including CMRR analysis, hydrogeological testing, and data management.

    CMRR-io

    Streamline coal mine roof stability assessments with our cloud-based CMRR software featuring automated calculations, multi-scenario analysis, and collaborative workflows.

    HYDROGEO-io

    Comprehensive hydrogeological testing platform for managing, analysing, and reporting on packer tests, lugeon values, and hydraulic conductivity assessments.

    GEODB-io

    Centralised geotechnical data management solution for storing, accessing, and analysing all your site investigation and material testing data.