37 kilometres of tunnels excavated on Second track line
In June, the main construction contractors excavated the last metres of the service pipes of the Lokev (T1) and Beka (T2) tunnels on the Second track route, and today marks the official breakthrough of all tunnels, with all 10 tunnel pipes now broken and 37.4 km of tunnels excavated. Despite the various challenges encountered during construction, including the challenges of the karst terrain, the excavation work was completed in record time. In September 2021, the main construction contractors started excavating the Mlinarji and Škofije tunnels, with the remaining tunnels soon to follow. In three years, more kilometres of tunnels have been excavated than have been excavated in 30 years on the entire Slovenian motorway network.
The 430 metres of altitude difference between Divača on the karst plateau and Koper, a few metres above the sea, are the main reasons why three quarters of the Second track line runs in seven tunnels. The length of the tunnels on Second track is 20.5 kilometres. The total length of the tunnels, service and rescue pipes is 37.4 kilometres. The service tubes, which run parallel to the three longest tunnels, Lokev, Beka and Škofije, are built in the same cross-section as the main tunnel tubes. This will make 61% of the line ready for future double-tracking.
In his speech, Matej Oset said that the main construction contractors had excavated 37 kilometres of tunnel pipes, which is a huge distance, about the distance from Ljubljana to Litija. “We have not faced small challenges, we have faced many in three years: we have faced a major drought, the fires in the Karst two years ago, many Turkish workers left their homes when their country was hit by a terrible earthquake in 2023. But despite all the unfavourable external factors beyond our control, construction has not stalled, and despite all the setbacks, it has been going pretty smoothly all along.”
Marko Brezigar pointed out that the project had achieved an extremely important milestone victory. “The excavation work is the most unpredictable part of the construction of the second track. Despite the tremendous efforts of geologists, geophysicists, engineers, karst scientists and other experts, we can never be 100% sure of what lies underground.” The karst terrain was a particular unknown, with the Beka tunnel breakthrough taking place in a karst cave. “It is quite unique and unexpected that the two parts of the tunnel come together in a large karst phenomenon.”
The European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a €250 million loan agreement with 2TDK last year because the second railway line is an investment in a sustainable future, improving rail access to the Port of Koper and removing capacity constraints on the rail network. Dr Simon Savšek, Head of the European Investment Bank Group Representation in Slovenia, said that the EIB supports key infrastructure in Slovenia and promotes projects that enhance sustainability and competitiveness. “The European Union is more than just a community of countries – it is a symbol of hope, cooperation and a common future. Jean Monnet, one of the fathers of the European Union, said: “Europe will not be created in a single step, nor by a simple design. It will be shaped by tangible achievements that first create real solidarity.” And today we are witnessing one such achievement, which symbolises a crucial step in the development of the Slovenian transport system.”
The Divača-Koper second railway line is the largest infrastructure project in Slovenia. After the excavation work the inner lining of the tunnels is being made and the portals have to be completed, then come the electrical installations, the signalling and telecommunications installations and the laying of the tracks.
Video from the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEzflwVE7GA&t=1s
10. 7. 2024