Romania deploys largest TBM to bore through Carpathians for Sibiu-Pitești highway tunnel

Romania is gearing up for a significant infrastructure milestone with the deployment of its largest Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) on the Sibiu-Pitesti highway.

The "mole," as it's nicknamed, will be instrumental in excavating the Poiana Tunnel, which will become the longest tunnel on the highway, stretching nearly two kilometers. This marks the first time such advanced TBM technology will be used for road infrastructure in Romania. The impressive machine, boasting a diameter comparable to a four-story building, will be transported in sections from Călărași and assembled at the Sibiu-facing portal to begin its journey through the mountain.

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Intense preparations for the first "mole" that will dig through the Carpathians on the A1 Sibiu–Pitești Highway! I was on the Cornetu–Tigveni Section 3 construction site today, where final preparations are being made for the start of one of the most spectacular infrastructure works in Romania.

This sophisticated tunneling operation is part of the Cornetu-Tigveni section, a particularly challenging and expensive segment of the Sibiu-Pitesti highway. The project's value exceeds one billion euros, with the constructor already mobilizing around 1,000 workers. They are actively engaged in constructing over 50 viaducts, alongside extensive earthworks, support walls, and consolidation efforts. The scale of the investment is substantial, involving millions of cubic meters of excavation and fill, significant concrete and steel quantities, and specialized bridge components.

Officials from the Ministry of Transport have expressed their commitment to the project's advancement, working closely with the contractor to ensure progress. The successful excavation of the Poiana Tunnel with this TBM is anticipated to be a highlight of Romania's ongoing infrastructure development.

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In the coming weeks, the impressive "mole" will be transported in pieces from Călărași and assembled at the Sibiu-facing portal, from where it will begin digging through the mountain. With a diameter of over 12 meters, the height of a 4-story building, this will be the largest TBM ever used in Romania.