"Charlotte" to drive Saverne tunnel

11 December 2011 - Events - France

On the route of the second section of the LGV Est Européenne, the baptism ceremony for the TBM due to drive the Saverne tunnel took place on 25 October last. Baptised Charlotte, this TBM (length: 110 m; diameter: 10.07 m) will drive the two 4 km-long tubes of what will be the biggest tunnel of the section linking Baudrecourt and Vendenheim, in the east of France.

This structure forms part of works package 47 for the future LGV (high-speed line), which is being implemented on a design-build basis by a consortium notably comprising Dodin Campenon Bernard (leader) and VINCI Construction Terrassement, both VINCI Construction subsidiaries; the regional entities of VINCI Construction France GTM Alsace and GTM Lorraine; and Cegelec Infrastructures & Mobility (Cegelec GSS Division) and Cegelec Nord & Est (Cegelec France Division), both subsidiaries of the Energy business line, with the collaboration of Campenon Bernard Dodin Ingénierie.

Being undertaken on behalf of RFF, the project calls for the design and construction of 7.5 km of new line. In addition to the construction of the tunnel, it includes the earthworks, and the creation of standard engineering structures and the Haspelbaechel viaduct (270 m).
Total contract value: €184m.