- First shield machine used in Europe to extend the tunnel gauge, combining the works with the continuity of rail transit, in a single track
- The actions will give continuity to the new High Speed Line Vitoria/Gasteiz-Asturias-Donostia/ San Sebastián-French border
Adif AV is making progress on the extension of the Gaintxurizketa tunnel gauge, which is included in the project for the installation of the third lane between Astigarraga and Irun, which will continue the new Vitoria/Gasteiz-Bilbao/Donostia/San Sebastian/French border high-speed line.
The road works for the implementation of the third lane represent an investment of 52.9 million euros and the adaptation of the road in the Astigarraga-Irun stretch will allow the joint use of the route by high-speed and Iberian wide circulations.
In this phase of the works, progress is made in the excavation work for the expansion of the Gaintxurizketa tunnel (535.5 m), with the use of a shield machine that - for the first time in Europe - makes the works and the transit of railway circulations compatible, in a single track. After completing this project in the Gaintxurizketa tunnel, the project envisages the extension of gauze in the Loyola (288 m) and Capuchin (196 m) tunnels, in different stages of progress of the work.
The general director of Adif AV, Juan Pablo Villanueva, explained the details of the actions that are taking place in the tunnel, accompanied by the government delegate in the Basque Country, Denis Itxaso, and the Basque Government’s Transport Minister, Iñaki Arriola.
High speed and wide Iberian and travelers and goods
The project consists of the implementation of the mixed width on the route between Astigarraga and lrun, adapting the facilities for the operation of standard interoperable trains (750 m) and making the works compatible with the provision of the service, both for passenger traffic and for goods traffic.
The works include the realization of various platform and superstructure performances in three sections:
· Hernani Station: remodelling of the tracks for the implementation of a new track for freight trains of interoperable standard length;
· Astigarraga-Donostia/San Sebastián section: implementation of the third lane from the link in Astigarraga between the conventional line and the high-speed line, to the entrance to the San Sebastián station;
· Donostia/San Sebastián-Irun section, in which the third lane will be implanted between both stations.
More performances
In addition to the track works, the metal structures will be reinforced and the stations and walkways will be adapted to the mixed width. Subsequently, actions will be addressed in the airline of contact (catenary) and the change of the signalling and communication facilities in the Hernani-Irun section of the conventional railway network.
The project, considering its future uses, includes the rehabilitation of the traction substations of Andoain, Gaintxurizketa and Irun, and the construction of two new substations in Martutene and Tolosa.
Shield machine
The shield machine used in this operation - which adapts to the shape of the tunnel - is equipped with a protection unit, responsible for holding the current vault; an excavation unit, equipped with three hydraulic hammers; and a micropile drilling equipment, in addition to a unit with gunning tools for the support of the walls of the tunnel.
The drilling machine also includes an auxiliary equipment unit, in which are located the equipment necessary for the operation of the previous units (voltage transformers, hydraulic pumps, compressors…).
For its installation and operation, previous adaptation works were necessary, which have included actions in the dock, the movement of the single track and the catenary to the central area of the tunnel, through which the scheduled railway services, protected by the machine itself, circulate.
This action contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), which has among its goals the development of reliable, sustainable, resilient and quality infrastructures.
European funds
This action will have European funding through the “Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. Funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU”.