The first of two TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) shields, which will be used for tunnelling as part of the modernisation of railway line No. 104 on the Limanowa – Klęczany siding section, has arrived at the port of Gdynia. This is one of the key stages of the work carried out by the consortium of Budimex (leader) and Gülermak.

The TBM EPB machine with a diameter of 4.8 meters and a length of 170 m, manufactured by CRCHI, arrived in Poland by sea from Changsha in China. Its transport included 36 parts, of which the heaviest element (front shield) weighs 87 tons, and the cutterhead  itself with a diameter of 4.8 meters – 41 tons. Its assembly will begin on the construction site later this year to start work in spring 2025.

Prior to loading and transport, extensive FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) tests were carried out at the factory in China to verify that the machine’s parameters comply with the terms of the contract and ATEX safety requirements. Engineers from Budimex, Gülermak, PKP PLK SA and GIG (Central Mining Institute) participated in the tests.

– The investment in question, consisting in the reconstruction of the LK104 railway line between Limanowa and Klęczany in the Małopolskie Voivodeship, is currently one of the most important infrastructure projects in this region and in Poland. The TBM boring machines, the first of which has just arrived to us, will allow us to drill tunnels with a length of nearly 3.8 km within 10 months.  We have intensified work in the area of the eastern portal, and the prefabrication plant for tunnel casing segments is being prepared. For nearly 6 months, works have been carried out on the construction site in all possible industries, the contract is full of engineering challenges related to local soil and water conditions or logistics and transport itself,” says Marcin Curkowicz, Deputy Contract Manager for Technical Affairs from Region 2 of the Railway Construction Division of Budimex SA.

Section D Limanowa – Klęczany siding is the longest and most demanding part of the modernized railway line No. 104. The contract was signed in March 2024, and the completion of the works is planned for the last quarter of 2026. The project, worth PLN 1.93 billion net, includes, m.in others, the construction of two tunnels with a length of almost 3.8 km each, and the newly arrived TBM shield will start drilling one of them. In China, the construction of the second TBM dedicated to this project, with a diameter of 10.6 meters, which is currently sailing to Polish, has also been completed.

The construction of railway line No. 104 with a tunnel is of great importance for the development of railway infrastructure in Poland, as well as of strategic importance for the region, because the restoration of a fast railway connection between Krakow and Nowy Sącz (less than 1 h) will  contribute to increasing the industrial and economic attractiveness of the Nowy Sącz and Limanów regions.

source: Budimex.