Budimex SA is preparing to transport another TBM disc, which will be used in the implementation of one of the most important railway investments in southern Poland. The machine, weighing over 2.5 thousand tonnes, about 120 metres long and 11 metres in diameter, has successfully undergone factory acceptance in China. The first elements are expected to reach Polish by sea at the beginning of 2027. The shield will drill two tunnels on the new Podłęże-Gdów railway route, which is part of the Podłęże-Piekiełko strategic project.
The manufacturer’s plant in China has completed the factory acceptance of the new TBM disc intended for the construction of the Podłęże-Gdów railway route. As part of the procedure, a number of technical tests, inspections and verification of documentation were carried out, which confirms the preparation of the machine for the next stages of the project. This is an important moment in the preparations for one of the most demanding engineering operations on the construction of a new railway line in Małopolska.
The machine, weighing 2558 tons, which is equivalent to a total of almost 220 city buses or 1700 passenger cars, is entering the next stage, i.e. transport from China to Polish. The first elements of the shield are to reach the country by sea at the beginning of 2027, from where they will be transported to the construction site in the Podłęż area. Due to the dimensions of the device, its transport and subsequent assembly will require appropriate logistical preparation. After all components are delivered, the machine will be assembled in the area of the northern portal of the T11 tunnel. The start of drilling is scheduled for the middle of next year.
“The construction of the T11 tunnel is one of the most important engineering challenges on our contract. The acceptance of the shield in China is an important step that brings us closer to starting work underground. We have a large logistics operation ahead of us, followed by the assembly and commissioning of the machine. We are preparing for each of these stages in advance, as an efficient start of drilling will be crucial for the further implementation of the investment. This is also another project in which Budimex is developing its competences in the field of advanced tunnel construction,” says Adrian Jasiówka, Contract Director at Budimex SA.
Over 2.5 thousand tons and 11 meters in diameter
The task of the new TBM shield will be to drill two parallel aisles of the T11 tunnel, each about 900 meters long. After the completion of the works, the inner diameter of the finished tunnel will be 9.8 meters. Both aisles will be connected by two spans about 13 meters long.
The machine will use EPB (Earth Pressure Balance) technology, i.e. a method of balancing soil pressure. It allows for control of pressure at the front of the disc and safe operation in changing geological and hydrogeological conditions. The TBM will be equipped with, among m.in, a laser guidance system, screw and belt conveyors for transporting excavated material, and devices for assembling prefabricated tunnel casing segments.
In the area of the northern portal of the T11 tunnel, preparatory works related to the organization of the assembly of the machine are currently being carried out.
Strategic railway investment in Małopolska
The new TBM shield will be used in the construction of railway line No. 622 on the Podłęże-Gdów section and slip road No. 627 Podłęże-Podłęże Balachówka. The contract worth over PLN 2.57 billion net is being implemented by a consortium of Budimex, Budimex Kolejnictwo and Ferrovial Construction on behalf of PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe. As part of the investment, about 19 kilometres of new railway infrastructure will be built, including double-track line No. 622 and single-track slip road No. 627. The project also includes the construction of the Podłęże Balachówka and Gdów stations, the Wiatowice and Zagórze stops near Niepołomice and a total of eight platforms.
The section being carried out by the Budimex Group is part of the Podłęże-Piekiełko project, one of the largest projects of Polish Railway Lines currently being carried out on the Vistula River. The new infrastructure is to improve connections between Kraków and Nowy Sącz, increase network capacity and improve conditions for passenger and freight traffic.
