Telt Interchange Niches of the Maddalena, Italy

TELT Tunnel Euralpin Lyon Turin project is one of the most important links between Italy and Europe with the new Turin-Lyon railway line, part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). This project will link rail networks, ports, airports and freight villages, improving the connection between the peninsula and European countries. It includes the Maddalena Tunnel at Chiomonte (Turin), the main Italian construction site on the Turin-Lyon line. Started as a geognostic tunnel, it provides crucial geological information for the excavation of the base tunnel on the Italian side.

Excavation of the base tunnel begins in Chiomonte and required the construction of 22 niches to adapt the tunnel to the passage of construction vehicles. These niches, 30 to 65 metres long and about 4.50 metres deep, ensure the safety of the construction vehicles.

Innovation is the key word in this project. To explore the last few kilometres of the tunnel and equip it with lighting, ventilation and other safety devices, Webuild, in collaboration with CIM (Competence Industry Manufacturing 4.0), created Axel. This is a robot, the first of its kind in Italy, that allows exploration activities to be carried out remotely, with the aim of reducing the risks for workers.