On 11th of February, Euro Alliance Tunnels JSC celebrated the break-through of the emergency gallery belonging to Scheibengipfeltunnel in Reutlingen, southern Germany.
After 15 months the tube which is 1.620 m long with a cross section 20 m2 was excavated. The professionals at Euro Alliance Tunnels had to face many difficulties. One of the most challenging problems was the escape of methane gas. All works had to be executed very carefully while monitoring the gas measuring points around-the-clock. Special rescue and emergency plans had to be prepared and all project participants were trained how to behave in that hazardous environment. The excavation works went hand in hand with all technical and constructional measures to minimize the risk of firedamp explosion.
Despite of these difficulties all contracted works - excavation and strengthening, were finished successfully, without accidents and in time. There are still works to be done: floor concreting, construction of the widening sections and sealing installations, which will be executed in the upcoming weeks.
