30 kilometres of tunnels excavated

A major milestone has been reached on the Second Track – 30 kilometres of tunnels have been excavated by the contractors. The total length of tunnels, service and rescue pipes to be excavated along the entire route is 37.4 kilometres. More tunnel tubes will be built on the Second track alone than during the construction of Slovenian motorways from 1994 to the present day.

75% of the entire route is tunnelled, with 20.5 kilometres of tunnels along the 27.1 km route, but this figure is higher if we take into account that service pipes are being built alongside the three longest tunnels. The service tubes are built in the same cross-section as the main tunnel tubes. This means that only 7 kilometres remain before all the tunnels are excavated.

The modern seven-tunnel line brings a number of environmental, sustainability, safety and economic benefits. Three tunnels have been excavated in full so far, and in some cases the interior lining of the tunnels is already under construction.

Only tunnelling can overcome the 430 m height difference in such a short distance, with train speeds of up to 160 km/h. Tunnelling is generally more expensive and complex, but it is easier and cheaper to maintain.

21. 11. 2023